a lengthy task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lengthy task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that requires a significant amount of time to complete. Example: "Completing the annual report is a lengthy task that requires careful attention to detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I don't think we realised quite what a task, or a lengthy task, we were taking on".

The Guardian

One of the delights of the World literature tour was always that the conversation often overwhelmed the business of recommendation, but this made returning to pick up a half-remembered mention something of a lengthy task.

The Guardian - Books

Yet Afghan officials say that it is a lengthy task to build an administration from scratch and gain the trust of a population that has suffered at the hands of predatory officials and repeated military operations by foreign forces in recent years.

The New York Times

In the first we investigate whether evenly spaced interim deadlines lead to higher completion rates for a lengthy task, where procrastination could be a factor.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

Fixation proceeds fast, but searching relies strongly on random events, and thus becomes a lengthy task.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

While the roster of names solves the problem of imperfect recall of who you might know, it is quite a lengthy task for respondents to work through all the names and allocate to each, one of four categories of ties.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Building a course timetable is a difficult and lengthy task which universities devote a large amount of human and material resources to every year.

European Journal of Operational Research

HS2 is a lengthy project.

BBC

However, arranging curriculum is a difficult and lengthy task which enterprises traditionally devote a large amount of human and material resources to.

Expert Systems with Applications

It may be possible to assign this spectrum, though it would be a difficult and lengthy task.

Biochemistry

The rarity of hCV detection in our study suggests the assembly of such cohorts to be a difficult and lengthy task that could benefit greatly from international coordination.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project phase, use "a lengthy task" to emphasize the significant time investment required for that particular phase. This sets expectations and justifies resource allocation.

Common error

While acceptable, constantly using "a lengthy task" in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler terms like "a long job" or "a big project" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy task" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "lengthy" modifies the noun "task". Ludwig examples show it is used to describe activities requiring significant time. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

46%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lengthy task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an activity that requires a considerable amount of time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Ludwig's examples reveal its prevalence in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, indicating a neutral register. While it effectively conveys the time commitment involved, consider using alternatives in informal settings to avoid sounding overly formal. Remember to clearly define what makes the task "lengthy" to provide context and justification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a time-consuming endeavor

Replaces "task" with "endeavor" and "lengthy" with "time-consuming", emphasizing the duration required.

a protracted undertaking

Uses more formal vocabulary, with "protracted" highlighting the extended duration and "undertaking" replacing "task".

an extensive project

Substitutes "task" with "project" and "lengthy" with "extensive", implying a larger scope and time commitment.

a drawn-out process

Focuses on the process aspect, describing it as "drawn-out" to convey the extended duration.

a prolonged activity

Replaces "task" with "activity" and uses "prolonged" to indicate the long duration of the activity.

a marathon effort

Emphasizes the sustained effort required, likening it to a marathon.

a long and involved assignment

Breaks down the description, specifying that the assignment is both long and complex.

an arduous chore

Conveys the difficulty and laboriousness of the task, using "arduous" to highlight the effort required.

a complex and lengthy operation

Substitutes "task" with "operation", suggesting a structured and complex undertaking, and retains "lengthy".

a substantial undertaking

Focuses on the size or importance of the task, rather than just its length, using "substantial" to describe its magnitude.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lengthy task" to describe any assignment or project that requires a considerable amount of time to complete. For example, "Writing a dissertation is "a lengthy task" that demands dedication and careful planning."

What are some alternatives to saying "a lengthy task"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a time-consuming endeavor", "a protracted undertaking", or "an extensive project".

Is it appropriate to use "a lengthy task" in formal writing?

Yes, "a lengthy task" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly conveys the idea of a task that requires significant time and effort, making it appropriate for reports, academic papers, and professional communications.

What makes "a lengthy task" different from "a difficult task"?

"A lengthy task" emphasizes the duration required to complete the task, whereas "a difficult task" focuses on the complexity and challenges involved. A task can be both lengthy and difficult, but the phrases highlight different aspects.