a difficult task to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult task to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a challenging activity or assignment that requires effort or skill to complete. Example: "Completing the project on time proved to be a difficult task to manage with the limited resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The NSW State of Origin playmaker admitted he had a difficult task to earn back respect.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's a difficult task to get people willing to make the time commitment," he said.

The New York Times

The HPA had a difficult task to try to locate the source of the infection.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a difficult task to dissect where this sense of apathy stems from.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before returning to Washington, Mr. Obama acknowledged facing a difficult task to persuade Congress.

The New York Times

Mr. Wythe has set himself a difficult task: to illuminate the extraordinary in the ordinary.

The New York Times

It seems like a difficult task to steal a film from Nicolas Cage, but I think you managed it.

The Guardian - Film

In countries where people don't use toilets it can be a difficult task to encourage behaviour change.

The Guardian

The government faces a difficult task to meet its commitment to return the budget to surplus in 2016-17.

The Guardian

One letter read: Congress faces a difficult task to balance needs and resources and allocate burdens and sacrifices.

The New York Times

Although many Cubans echoed Mr. Rodríguez's sentiments, it remains a difficult task to gauge public opinion in a country as tightly controlled as Cuba.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a difficult task to", ensure that the context clearly defines what makes the task challenging. Providing specific reasons will enhance clarity and understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult task to" when the task is merely inconvenient or requires minimal effort. Reserve it for situations that genuinely present significant obstacles or require considerable skill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult task to" functions as a pre-modifier of a noun or verb, indicating that the action or object being described presents a significant challenge. Ludwig's examples show its wide application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a difficult task to" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to convey that something is challenging and requires significant effort. As Ludwig highlights, its usage spans from News & Media to scientific contexts, demonstrating its versatility. While grammatically correct, it's essential to use it accurately, reserving it for situations that genuinely warrant the description. Remember that related phrases can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging endeavor to

Replaces "task" with "endeavor" and "difficult" with "challenging" offering a slightly more formal tone.

a demanding assignment to

Substitutes "task" with "assignment" and "difficult" with "demanding", emphasizing the effort required.

a formidable undertaking to

Replaces "task" with "undertaking" and "difficult" with "formidable", suggesting a greater level of challenge.

a complex matter to

Replaces "task" with "matter" and "difficult" with "complex", highlighting the intricate nature of the challenge.

a tricky proposition to

Substitutes "task" with "proposition" and "difficult" with "tricky", implying a need for careful handling.

a laborious process to

Replaces "difficult task" with "laborious process" focusing on the effort and time required.

a herculean effort to

Substitutes "difficult task" with "herculean effort" emphasizing the immense strength and effort needed.

a knotty problem to

Replaces "task" with "problem" and "difficult" with "knotty", suggesting a complicated issue.

a steep hill to climb to

Uses a metaphor to replace "difficult task" with a more visual representation of a challenge.

no easy feat to

Emphasizes that the task is not simple, using a common idiom.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a difficult task to" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging endeavor to", "a demanding assignment to", or "a formidable undertaking to" depending on the context.

What makes "a difficult task to" different from "an easy task to"?

"A difficult task to" implies that significant effort, skill, or resources are needed for completion, while "an easy task to" suggests that the task can be completed with minimal effort or resources.

Is it better to say "a difficult task to do" or "a difficult task to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a difficult task to" is more concise and generally preferred. Adding "do" doesn't significantly alter the meaning but can make the sentence slightly less streamlined.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "a difficult task to"?

It's appropriate to use "a difficult task to" when describing a situation where completing something requires overcoming substantial obstacles, using considerable skill, or expending significant effort. For instance, "It's "a difficult task to" persuade Congress".