a grueling chore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a grueling chore" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is extremely tiring and demanding, often requiring a lot of effort and endurance. Example: "Cleaning the entire house in one day felt like a grueling chore, but I managed to get it done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Lovemaking that was once a joy turns into a grueling chore involving sperm tests and ovulation charts.

The New York Times

What follows is a series of scenes that show Gunnar's life falling apart: Doing the bills turns into a grueling chore; tension enters his marriage with his wife, Helga (Andrea Osp Karlsdottir); past purchases are re-examined with uncharitable scrutiny.

The New York Times

I'd gotten to a point months ago where dating felt like a grueling chore, and I can't say I ever really had fun while I was dating.

Huffington Post

She also says exercise is no longer "a grueling chore" but "done purely out of the joy of movement". She says her life has greatly improved since giving up dieting.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's a grueling job.

The New York Times - Magazine

It will be a grueling task.

The New York Times

Producing the earliest color photographs was a grueling task.

The New York Times - Arts

Running any presidential campaign is a grueling task.

The New York Times

It's a grueling job, and not just on stage.

The New York Times

For the 99percentt it's a grueling daily chore making ends meet.

Huffington Post

"It's just a grueling, grueling run.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task as "a grueling chore", ensure the context clearly conveys the demanding and exhausting nature of the activity. Use it to emphasize the difficulty and lack of enjoyment associated with the task.

Common error

Avoid using "a grueling chore" too frequently in your writing. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions with synonyms like "taxing job" or "arduous undertaking" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a grueling chore" functions as a noun phrase, where "grueling" is an adjective modifying the noun "chore". Ludwig confirms this phrase to be valid in the English language. The phrase describes a specific type of task that is both difficult and unpleasant.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a grueling chore" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a task that is both exhausting and unpleasant. While Ludwig's examples demonstrate its validity, its frequency is relatively rare. As such, while appropriate, you should be mindful not to overuse it in writing. The phrase is considered acceptable and is typically used in news and media contexts. Consider using alternative descriptions such as "an exhausting task" or "a taxing job" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exhausting task

Focuses on the energy depletion aspect, less on the tediousness.

a taxing job

Emphasizes the demanding nature and the strain it puts on resources.

an arduous undertaking

Highlights the difficulty and effort required to complete the task.

a laborious duty

Stresses the heavy and time-consuming aspect of the responsibility.

a wearisome activity

Focuses on the tiring and monotonous quality of the activity.

a backbreaking task

Emphasizes the physically demanding and potentially painful nature of the work.

a draining exercise

Highlights the emotional or mental energy that is depleted by the task.

a painful obligation

Focuses on the unpleasantness and lack of enjoyment associated with the task.

an onerous responsibility

Highlights the burden and weight of the duty.

a trying ordeal

Stresses the difficult and unpleasant nature of the experience.

FAQs

What does "a grueling chore" mean?

The phrase "a grueling chore" describes a task that is extremely tiring, demanding, and often unpleasant, requiring significant effort and endurance.

How can I use "a grueling chore" in a sentence?

You might say, "Cleaning the entire house in one day felt like "a grueling chore"", or "Dealing with the bureaucratic process turned into "a grueling chore"".

What can I say instead of "a grueling chore"?

You can use alternatives like "an exhausting task", "a taxing job", or "an arduous undertaking" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to describe a mental activity as "a grueling chore", or does it apply only to physical tasks?

While "a grueling chore" can certainly apply to physical tasks, it can also effectively describe mentally demanding activities. For example, "Studying for the exam felt like "a grueling chore"".