a perilous exercise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a perilous exercise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or task that is risky or dangerous in nature. Example: "Climbing the mountain without proper gear is a perilous exercise that could lead to serious injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It is a perilous exercise.

The Economist

As for Saturday, this is a perilous exercise.

The Guardian - Sport

So "1619 Broadway" might seem, on the surface, like a perilous exercise.

The New York Times - Arts

ATLANTA — Drawing conclusions two weeks into an NFL season is always a perilous exercise.

The Washington Post

The truth is disarming a country, other than with its consent, is a perilous exercise.

The Guardian

Forgetting the debacles of previous years, he again embarks on a perilous exercise intended to elicit the envy of males and the cooing praise of females.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Applying it to systems where abrupt shifts are possible — such as bond markets or the outcome of Presidential elections — is a more perilous exercise.

The New Yorker

While nose jobs have not yet replaced cash as the preferred currency of appreciation, the example of Dr. Sachs drives home the basic conundrum of holiday tipping, one that for many turns the simple act of holiday giving into a tense and socially perilous exercise: how do you measure up as a tipper when you suspect others are more generous?

The New York Times - Style

Such is the anarchic volume of traffic that just crossing the street has become a time-consuming and perilous exercise.

The Economist

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said publicly that enforcing a no-fly zone over Syria would be a perilous, complex and expensive exercise, given Syria's modern air defenses.

Huffington Post

Whether such laws are non-reducible in principle or merely in practice is a perilous prediction to make.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a perilous exercise", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific risks or dangers involved. Be precise in describing what makes the exercise perilous.

Common error

Avoid using "a perilous exercise" when the situation involves only minor inconvenience or mild risk. Reserve it for scenarios with significant potential for harm or failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a perilous exercise" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "perilous" modifies the noun "exercise". It describes the nature of the exercise, indicating that it's dangerous or risky. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a perilous exercise" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an activity involving significant risk. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts but also appears in scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context makes the specific dangers clear and avoid overstating the risk. Alternatives include "a dangerous undertaking" and "a risky endeavor". Be mindful to reserve it for situations genuinely carrying potential harm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dangerous undertaking

Focuses on the potential harm or negative consequences of the activity.

a risky endeavor

Emphasizes the uncertainty and potential for failure.

a hazardous activity

Highlights the presence of specific dangers or hazards.

a precarious situation

Indicates instability and vulnerability to negative outcomes.

a delicate operation

Stresses the need for careful handling and precision to avoid failure.

a thorny issue

Emphasizes the difficulty and potential for conflict.

a challenging task

Highlights the difficulty and effort required.

a complex procedure

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the process.

a tough proposition

Indicates a difficult and demanding undertaking.

an uphill battle

Suggests a struggle against significant obstacles.

FAQs

What does "a perilous exercise" mean?

The phrase "a perilous exercise" refers to an activity or undertaking that involves significant risk, danger, or uncertainty.

What can I say instead of "a perilous exercise"?

You can use alternatives such as "a dangerous undertaking", "a risky endeavor", or "a hazardous activity" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "perilous" to describe an exercise?

Yes, "perilous" can be used to describe an "exercise" if the activity involves risk or danger. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

How can I make my writing more descriptive when using "a perilous exercise"?

Provide specific details about the nature of the dangers involved. For instance, instead of saying "climbing the mountain was a perilous exercise", specify "climbing the mountain without ropes was a perilous exercise".