a heavy task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a heavy task" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase in a variety of contexts to describe a chore, a responsibility, or a project that is difficult, time-consuming, or strenuous. For example: "Completing the research paper was a heavy task, but I was determined to get it done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

To be fair, directors face a heavy task.

The New Yorker

When he assumed the presidency of Paraguay last August, Mr. Lugo took on a heavy task.

The New York Times

He added, "I have a heavy task and it will need patience".

The New York Times

She has a heavy task, carrying on a profession by day and doing housekeeping at night and at the weekends.

The Guardian

"I'm making more money," says Mr Viljoen in Leeudoringstad, "but let me tell you, it's a heavy task.

The Economist

It's not a terrible idea for baseball, with its fluctuation in starting pitchers, but three straight on the road is a heavy task for any hockey team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Turning Alitalia's fortunes around will be an heavy task for the French-Dutch group.

The New York Times

Rasmussen laments that "barriers in systems – school systems, homes, longstanding institutions that run on their own structures and methodologies" make it a "heavy, heavy task" to change things.

The Guardian

This is a computationally heavy task and most of the proposed methods can be regarded as "myopic" strategies with respect to a certain loss function.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

Knowledge-based models of such engines are sometimes difficult to derive and when they are available, their simulation may be numerically a rather heavy task given the control updating period that may be needed.

Journal of Process Control

Since the estimation of parameter values maximizing prediction ability is a computationally heavy task when using differential equations, difference equations have been typically utilized to analyze biological systems [ 4, 5, 17, 18, 20, 21, 46].

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "a heavy task". While appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, simpler alternatives may be more suitable for informal settings.

Common error

While "a heavy task" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "challenging assignment", "difficult undertaking", or "demanding job" for greater impact and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a heavy task" functions as a noun phrase, where "heavy" modifies the noun "task". It describes the nature or quality of the task, indicating that it requires significant effort or is burdensome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a heavy task" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict assignments demanding considerable effort. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its application spans across news, science, and academic spheres. While deemed valid, writers are advised to avoid overuse and instead, explore synonymous expressions to maintain diverse prose. For example, depending on the context, alternatives like ""a difficult undertaking"", ""a challenging assignment"" or ""a demanding job"" may prove useful. Its neutral tone renders it suitable for both professional and neutral discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a tough task

Replaces "heavy" with "tough", indicating difficulty.

a challenging task

Substitutes "heavy" with "challenging", highlighting the demanding nature.

a difficult undertaking

Replaces both "heavy" and "task" to emphasize the complexity.

a weighty responsibility

Changes "task" to "responsibility", stressing the importance and burden.

an arduous endeavor

Uses more formal synonyms for both words, indicating a strenuous effort.

a formidable assignment

Emphasizes the challenging and potentially intimidating nature of the task.

a demanding job

Simplifies the phrase to a more common expression, focusing on the effort required.

a strenuous activity

Highlights the physical or mental exertion involved.

a laborious process

Emphasizes the time and effort required for the task.

a grueling effort

Suggests a task that is both physically and mentally exhausting.

FAQs

How can I use "a heavy task" in a sentence?

You can use "a heavy task" to describe something that requires significant effort or is burdensome. For example: "Managing the project was "a heavy task", but ultimately rewarding."

What are some synonyms for "a heavy task"?

Alternatives include "a difficult undertaking", "a challenging assignment", or "a demanding job". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an heavy task" instead of "a heavy task"?

No, it is not correct. The correct article to use before "heavy" is "a" because "heavy" begins with a consonant sound. Using "an" before a consonant sound is a common grammatical error.

What's the difference between "a heavy task" and "a difficult task"?

While similar, "a heavy task" often implies a sense of burden or weight associated with the task, whereas "a difficult task" simply indicates that the task is not easy. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the difficulty or the burden.