a difficult assignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult assignment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a task or project that requires significant effort, skill, or time to complete. Example: "The professor gave us a difficult assignment that required extensive research and analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

But it was a difficult assignment.

The New York Times

It keeps trying — a difficult assignment for the poor beast.

The New York Times - Books

There was no reason to make a difficult assignment of this.

The New Yorker

Mr. Beatty's concept of dance that is one with light, air and the universe sounds like a difficult assignment.

The New York Times - Arts

In the replay, North-South took home four hearts, a difficult assignment, and the Meltzer team gained 10 imps.

The New York Times - Arts

Trying to start the transformation by beating one of the best pitchers in baseball was a difficult assignment.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

She has given herself an immensely difficult assignment: describing a puzzle without a solution requires preternatural narrative control.

The New York Times - Health

If one person is disadvantaged by your decision making (e.g., assigned a less desirable shift or given a more difficult assignment) multiple times, it's likely that they will perceive your decision-making as unfair.

Harvard Business Review

And Milton Babbitt's setting of "Pantun" was as lovely and well made as Mr. Hollander's poem, although a predictably difficult assignment for Theodora Hanslowe, a mezzo-soprano.

The New York Times - Arts

In the meantime, the stage is set for a crucial House-Senate conference with a very difficult assignment.

The New York Times

That one was a famously difficult assignment: You had to describe a piece of abstract art on campus.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the difficulty of a task, be specific about what makes the "difficult assignment" challenging, such as time constraints, complexity, or resource limitations.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "difficult assignment" without providing context. Instead of simply stating that something is "a difficult assignment", explain what makes it so to provide a clearer picture for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult assignment" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying the noun "assignment". According to Ludwig, the expression is grammatically sound and often used to denote tasks demanding considerable effort or skill.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult assignment" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that describes a task requiring substantial effort or skill. According to Ludwig, the phrase is applicable across a wide range of contexts, from news reports to academic papers. It's essential to provide context when using this phrase to clarify the specific challenges involved. While alternatives like "a challenging task" or "a tough undertaking" exist, "a difficult assignment" remains a versatile and effective choice. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness for formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging task

Replaces 'assignment' with 'task' emphasizing the demanding nature.

a tough undertaking

Substitutes 'assignment' with 'undertaking', highlighting the effort involved.

a demanding job

Uses 'job' instead of 'assignment', focusing on the work aspect.

a complex project

Replaces 'difficult' with 'complex' emphasizing the multifaceted nature of the assignment.

an arduous task

Employs 'arduous' to intensify the difficulty of the task.

a problematic endeavor

Indicates the assignment presents potential problems or obstacles.

a taxing responsibility

Focuses on the burden or strain the assignment may impose.

a formidable challenge

Highlights the intimidating nature of the assignment.

a strenuous activity

Uses 'strenuous' to emphasize the energy required for the assignment.

a trying experience

Implies the assignment will test one's patience and resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult assignment" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult assignment" to describe a task that requires significant effort and skill. For example, "The professor gave us "a difficult assignment" that required extensive research."

What are some alternatives to "a difficult assignment"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging task", "a tough undertaking", or "a demanding job" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a very difficult assignment"?

While not grammatically incorrect, saying "a very difficult assignment" can sometimes be redundant. Consider using a more descriptive adjective or elaborating on the challenges involved to provide more impact.

What's the difference between "a difficult assignment" and "a complex assignment"?

"A difficult assignment" implies that the task requires significant effort or skill to complete, while "a complex assignment" suggests that the task has many interconnected parts and requires careful planning and analysis. Both can overlap, but the emphasis differs.