a lengthy undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lengthy undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or project that requires a significant amount of time and effort to complete. Example: "The construction of the new bridge was a lengthy undertaking that took several years to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Pinning ropes to the rock along the way is a necessary safeguard, and learning how to climb with a rope is a lengthy undertaking that long kept the sport on the fringe.

The New York Times - Sports

This can be a lengthy undertaking, Coyne says.

Huffington Post

Members of the congregation remain upset about the lack of communication on the part of the feds the FBI did send a document to the synagogue on March 6, 2013, but it said that "a criminal investigation can be a lengthy undertaking and, for several reasons, we cannot tell you about its progress at this time".

Vice

Again, this is a lengthy undertaking that may take up to a year.

WikiHow

Diagnosing neurosis can be a lengthy undertaking because of the many conditions that can be attributed to its host of symptoms.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And like Planet Earth, which took five years to make, Our Planet will be a similarly lengthy undertaking, set to premiere on Netflix in 2019.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When work on the horse's head started after almost two years of examining the challenge from every angle, she declared: "The first hurdle was one of logistics – we have taken considerable time to measure and calculate the best approach to what will be an extraordinary and lengthy undertaking.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Daisey does not work from a prepared script — this lengthy undertaking would probably be impossible if he did — but what surprised me about his shows was their fluidity.

The New York Times

But creating a new culture is a lengthy and difficult undertaking, as the winners of the first season of Mashrouy know all too well.

The Guardian

Interpublic is undertaking a lengthy list of operational improvements to tighten financial reporting systems and get information faster, Mr. Coughlin said.

The New York Times

He welcomed that Elan was now contemplating a sale, but he urged the company to work with Royalty Pharma "rather than undertaking a lengthy, and we think likely fruitless, effort to find a buyer willing to offer more than we are".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a lengthy undertaking" when you want to emphasize that a task will require a significant amount of time and sustained effort.

Common error

Avoid using "a lengthy undertaking" for tasks that are complex but not necessarily time-consuming; ensure the primary characteristic is the duration involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lengthy undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically correct and usable expression. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing various time-intensive activities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lengthy undertaking" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a task or project that requires considerable time and effort. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. Although relatively rare in occurrence, it finds its primary contexts in News & Media, Wiki, and Science. Consider alternative phrases like "a time-consuming endeavor" or "a prolonged project" to add variety to your writing, ensuring that the chosen phrase accurately reflects the task's emphasis on duration. Remember to avoid using it when the primary characteristic of the task is complexity rather than duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a time-consuming endeavor

Focuses on the time aspect, replacing 'lengthy' with 'time-consuming' and 'undertaking' with 'endeavor'.

a prolonged project

Highlights the extended duration, using 'prolonged' instead of 'lengthy' and 'project' in place of 'undertaking'.

an extended operation

Emphasizes the duration and the nature of the task as an 'operation' rather than a general 'undertaking'.

a protracted affair

Implies a drawn-out and potentially complex situation, substituting 'lengthy' with 'protracted' and 'undertaking' with 'affair'.

a long-term commitment

Stresses the duration and dedication involved, replacing 'lengthy' with 'long-term' and 'undertaking' with 'commitment'.

a marathon task

Uses a metaphor to highlight the endurance required, comparing the 'undertaking' to a 'marathon'.

a demanding process

Shifts the focus to the difficulty and effort involved, using 'demanding' instead of 'lengthy' and 'process' for 'undertaking'.

an arduous assignment

Highlights the challenging and difficult nature of the task, replacing 'lengthy' with 'arduous' and 'undertaking' with 'assignment'.

a complex venture

Emphasizes the intricate and complicated nature of the 'undertaking', using 'complex' instead of 'lengthy' and 'venture' in place of 'undertaking'.

an involved process

Focuses on the intricate nature, replacing 'lengthy' with 'involved' and retaining 'process' to replace 'undertaking'.

FAQs

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

You can use "a lengthy undertaking" to describe any task or project that requires considerable time and effort. For example, "Writing a novel is "a lengthy undertaking"."

What are some alternatives to "a lengthy undertaking"?

Some alternatives include "a time-consuming endeavor", "a prolonged project", or "an extended operation", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a lengthy undertaking" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider whether a more specific term like "a long-term commitment" might be more precise.

What is the difference between "a lengthy undertaking" and "a complex task"?

"A lengthy undertaking" emphasizes the time required, while "a complex task" highlights the intricate nature of the work. While a task can be both lengthy and complex, choose the phrase that best reflects the primary challenge.