a large undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"a large undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to any task that is significant in some way. For example, "Starting a business from scratch is a large undertaking that requires a lot of dedication and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It's a large undertaking.

The Guardian

But the pressure of such a large undertaking was felt at every moment.

The New York Times - Arts

While it's a large undertaking, I'll continue to fight for its passage.

The New York Times

It was quite a large undertaking getting this one done, how did you do it?

The New York Times

It's a large undertaking to plan all of this, but worth it.

The New York Times - Travel

A CTB/McGraw-Hill spokeswoman described the field testing as "a large undertaking that ensures the accuracy of these results".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Ms. Cumbo, 26, who hasheld administrative jobs at the Brooklyn Children's Museum and the Brooklyn Museum of Art, has assembled a 11-member board to begin planning a larger undertaking.

The New York Times

She subsequently expanded the original portrait into a larger undertaking called "The Pink Project" by asking other parents if she could photograph their daughters and the things they loved.

The New York Times

This study was initiated as a component of a larger undertaking designed to study bone healing in microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Life Sciences in Space Research

Knight Visiting Nieman Fellows utilize the extensive resources at Harvard and MIT, including local scholars, research centers and libraries, to achieve concrete results, either developing a project that can be completed during the time spent at Harvard or as part of a larger undertaking that continues after the fellowship period ends.

Harvard University

Typically, mystics, theistic or not, see their mystical experience as part of a larger undertaking aimed at human transformation (See, for example, Teresa of Avila, Life, Chapter 19) and not as the terminus of their efforts.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large undertaking", consider specifying the resources, time, or effort required to emphasize the scale of the task. Instead of saying "The project was a large undertaking", try "The project, requiring significant financial investment and dedicated personnel, was a large undertaking".

Common error

Avoid using "a large undertaking" for tasks that are routine or relatively simple. Reserve this phrase for projects that genuinely involve significant complexity, resources, and effort. For instance, describing a daily task as "a large undertaking" diminishes the phrase's impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correctly and widely used to denote a project or task of considerable scale and complexity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large undertaking" is a commonly used phrase to describe a project or task that requires significant effort, resources, and planning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, avoid overusing it for simple tasks. Alternative phrases like "a significant project" or "a major operation" can add nuance depending on the context. Understanding its scale implications ensures effective communication in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant project

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the endeavor.

a major operation

Suggests a complex and coordinated set of actions.

a substantial commitment

Highlights the level of dedication and resources required.

a considerable task

Focuses on the amount of effort and work involved.

an ambitious endeavor

Implies a challenging and potentially rewarding goal.

a monumental effort

Highlights the scale and impressiveness of the work.

a demanding challenge

Emphasizes the difficulty and rigor of the undertaking.

an extensive operation

Stresses the broad scope and reach of the activity.

a sweeping change

Focuses on the broad and transformative impact of the project.

an all-encompassing task

Highlights the comprehensive nature and wide-ranging scope.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large undertaking" to describe any project or task that requires significant effort, resources, and time. For example, "Building a new hospital is "a large undertaking" that involves extensive planning and coordination."

What are some alternatives to saying "a large undertaking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a significant project", "a major operation", or "a substantial commitment".

Is it appropriate to use "a large undertaking" in formal writing?

Yes, "a large undertaking" is suitable for formal writing. It is a neutral and professional way to describe a complex task. However, ensure that the context warrants the use of such a phrase by illustrating the complexity.

What distinguishes "a large undertaking" from "a simple task"?

"A large undertaking" implies considerable effort, resources, and planning, while "a simple task" suggests minimal effort and straightforward execution. A project might begin as "a simple task", but evolve into "a large undertaking" as complexity increases.