a difficult undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"a difficult undertaking" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe a task or project that requires a lot of effort or skill. For example: "Working on this project has been a difficult undertaking, but I'm confident it will be a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Succeeding him is a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

Succeeding Mr. McQueen is a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

Why is it such a difficult undertaking?

The New York Times - Arts

Despite its warm reception in Indonesia, getting the book to American readers was a difficult undertaking.

The New Yorker

He concludes that "without some form of forgetting, forgiving becomes a difficult undertaking".

The New York Times - Magazine

But comparing two teams in any sport from different eras is a difficult undertaking.

The Guardian - Sport

The steroid discussion aside, Mauresmo has always made tennis a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times - Sports

Establishing a peacekeeping force is a difficult undertaking for Europe — politically, financially and economically.

The New York Times

For her part, Ms. Feliz says that taking care of three grandchildren is not a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

Its time is overdue -- but if the experience of Columbia University is any indication, it will be a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

Measuring the effective impact of research and its relevance to society is a difficult undertaking but one that the public sector is keen to embrace.

Research Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. While widely understood, in very formal contexts, a more sophisticated synonym might be appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a difficult undertaking" when the task is merely inconvenient or requires minimal effort. Reserve it for situations that genuinely present significant challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult undertaking" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It describes a specific task, project, or endeavor that poses significant challenges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a difficult undertaking" is a widely recognized and grammatically sound phrase used to describe tasks that present significant challenges. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is effective in emphasizing the complexity and effort required for a given endeavor. While it is commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, it is essential to ensure the difficulty is genuine to avoid overstatement. By considering synonyms and understanding its appropriate usage, writers can effectively communicate the demanding nature of a task or project.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", which also signifies a serious attempt to accomplish something, highlighting the effort required.

a complex task

Focuses on the intricacy of the work involved, rather than just the difficulty.

a demanding project

Emphasizes the high requirements and expectations of the project.

a formidable challenge

Highlights the scale and potential obstacles involved.

an arduous task

Emphasizes the strenuous effort and perseverance needed.

a tough assignment

Suggests a task that requires strength and resilience to complete successfully.

a trying experience

Emphasizes the stressful and potentially testing nature of the situation.

an uphill battle

Implies a struggle against significant resistance or obstacles.

a Herculean effort

References the mythical hero Hercules, emphasizing the immense strength and labor required.

no easy feat

This idiom directly conveys that something is not simple to accomplish.

FAQs

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

You can use "a difficult undertaking" to describe a task that requires significant effort and skill. For example: "Reorganizing the entire department was "a difficult undertaking", but ultimately successful."

What are some alternatives to "a difficult undertaking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a challenging endeavor", "a complex task", or "a formidable challenge".

Is it better to say "difficult undertaking" or "challenging undertaking"?

Both "difficult undertaking" and "challenging undertaking" are correct. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Difficult" emphasizes the effort required, while "challenging" emphasizes the stimulating nature of the task. They are largely interchangeable, but you could also use alternative like "arduous task".

What makes something "a difficult undertaking"?

Several factors can make something "a difficult undertaking", including complexity, resource constraints, lack of expertise, and unforeseen obstacles. It generally signifies something that is not easily accomplished, and that might be a reason to use alternative phrases like "an uphill battle".