a mammoth task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mammoth task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large or difficult job or responsibility that requires significant effort to complete. Example: "Completing the project on time was a mammoth task, but the team managed to pull it off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So it's been a mammoth task".

Independent

"It was a mammoth task," Basheer said.

The New Yorker

"It was a mammoth task," Kataria recalled.

The New Yorker

Curating proved a mammoth task.

The Guardian

Converting a garden is a mammoth task.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Could that change?Mr Ahmed has a mammoth task.

The Economist

Restoring true democracy to Zimbabwe will be a mammoth task.

The Economist

"We actually told them it is a mammoth task.

The New York Times - Sports

"It has been a mammoth task," said Major Austin Lillywhite.

The Guardian

It was a mammoth task, but we have done that for the nation".

The New Yorker

Trying to coordinate all of that and keep it together was a mammoth task".

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mammoth task" to emphasize the significant effort and resources required for a particular project or undertaking. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to highlight the scale and difficulty involved.

Common error

While "a mammoth task" is widely accepted, reserve it for situations where a truly significant challenge is involved. Overusing it in trivial contexts can dilute its impact and sound exaggerated. Consider simpler alternatives like "a big job" or "a tough assignment" for less demanding situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "a mammoth task" is as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object or complement of a verb. It describes a task characterized by its immense size and difficulty. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to depict significant undertakings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mammoth task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a large, difficult, and demanding undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media, it conveys a sense of significant effort and challenge. For alternative expressions, consider "a colossal task" or "a monumental undertaking". When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants its emphasis to avoid exaggeration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a colossal task

Replaces "mammoth" with "colossal", emphasizing the immense size of the task.

a herculean task

Replaces "mammoth" with "herculean", alluding to the strength and effort required, similar to the labors of Hercules.

a monumental undertaking

Substitutes "task" with "undertaking" and "mammoth" with "monumental", stressing the significance and scale.

an enormous endeavor

Replaces both "mammoth" and "task" with synonyms that highlight the large scale and challenging nature of the activity.

a daunting challenge

Shifts the focus to the intimidating aspect of the task, using "daunting" to replace "mammoth".

a considerable effort

Focuses on the amount of work needed, rather than the size of the task itself, using "considerable" to indicate the scale.

a substantial project

Highlights the scope and complexity of the activity, using "substantial" as a synonym for "mammoth".

a formidable assignment

Emphasizes the difficulty and demanding nature of the task, using "formidable" to replace "mammoth".

a labor-intensive operation

Shifts the focus to the intensive effort required, rather than the overall scale, using "labor-intensive" to describe the operation.

a complex undertaking

Highlights the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the task.

FAQs

What does "a mammoth task" mean?

The phrase "a mammoth task" describes a job, project, or undertaking that is extremely large, difficult, and requires a great deal of effort to complete. It emphasizes the scale and challenge involved.

What are some synonyms for "a mammoth task"?

Alternatives to "a mammoth task" include "a colossal task", "a herculean task", "a monumental undertaking", or "an enormous endeavor". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a mammoth task" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing significant challenges or undertakings. However, ensure that the context warrants such a strong description; otherwise, a less emphatic phrase might be more appropriate.

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

You can use "a mammoth task" in sentences like: "Restoring the historical building proved to be "a mammoth task".", "Cleaning up the oil spill was "a mammoth task".", or "Organizing the conference was "a mammoth task", but the results were worth the effort."