a prodigious undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that is remarkably large, impressive, or difficult to accomplish. Example: "Building the new bridge was a prodigious undertaking that required years of planning and collaboration."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The ATN Study was a prodigious undertaking for which the investigators deserve enormous credit.

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Herbert, through his nefarious activities and seedy characteristics, provided material for the shabby, disreputable figures who flit through Graham's fiction".Shades of Greene" is an ambitious undertaking that has needed a prodigious amount of research.

The Economist

In modern lingo, the Midas touch implies a prodigious gift: Its possessor profits from whatever he undertakes.

Huffington Post

It is a prodigious challenge.

The New York Times

That is still a prodigious if.

The Economist

Gordon is a prodigious talent.

The New York Times - Sports

He is a prodigious worrier.

The New Yorker

Leroi is a prodigious explainer.

The Guardian - Books

He's a prodigious talent.

The New York Times - Arts

She is a prodigious researcher.

The New Yorker

So can China become a prodigious inventor?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prodigious undertaking" when you want to emphasize that a project is not only large but also remarkably impressive or demanding in its scope and complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "a prodigious undertaking" to describe everyday tasks or projects that are not genuinely significant or complex. It's best reserved for situations where the scale and ambition are truly noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "prodigious" modifies the noun "undertaking". It describes the nature of the undertaking, emphasizing its scale and impressiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a prodigious undertaking" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe a task or project that is remarkably large, impressive, or difficult. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is rare. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. Alternatives include "a monumental endeavor" and "a Herculean task". When using the phrase, ensure that the project truly warrants such a strong descriptor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a massive undertaking

Emphasizes the size and scope using "massive" instead of "prodigious".

a monumental endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor" and "prodigious" with "monumental", both suggesting a large and significant effort.

a Herculean task

Uses "Herculean" to highlight the immense strength and effort required, referencing the labors of Hercules.

a formidable task

Stresses the difficulty and potential obstacles by using "formidable" instead of "prodigious".

a colossal project

Substitutes "prodigious" with "colossal" to emphasize the immense size of the project.

an immense challenge

Focuses on the difficulty aspect, replacing "undertaking" with "challenge" and "prodigious" with "immense".

a significant enterprise

Uses "enterprise" as a more formal synonym for "undertaking", with "significant" replacing "prodigious".

an ambitious project

Highlights the level of ambition involved, changing the focus slightly from the scale to the intent.

a grand scheme

Highlights the ambitious and often complex nature, somewhat altering the nuance to focus on planning.

an extraordinary effort

Focuses on the level of effort needed, moving away from the project itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "a prodigious undertaking" to describe a task or project that is remarkably large, impressive, or difficult to accomplish. For example: "Building the Panama Canal was "a prodigious undertaking" due to the engineering challenges and the harsh environment".

What can I say instead of "a prodigious undertaking"?

You can use alternatives like "a monumental endeavor", "a Herculean task", or "a colossal project" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a prodigious undertaking", or should I use another adjective?

"A prodigious undertaking" is grammatically correct and conveys the meaning of a remarkably large or impressive task. The choice of adjective depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a prodigious undertaking" and "a large project"?

"A prodigious undertaking" suggests not only a large project but also one that is particularly impressive, challenging, or remarkable. "A large project" simply indicates significant size or scope without necessarily implying exceptional difficulty or impressiveness.