a severe task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a severe task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is very difficult, demanding, or challenging. Example: "Completing the project under such tight deadlines was a severe task that tested everyone's limits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

She misses home and Mrs. Shaughnessy is a severe task master.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even without knowing the directionality of the changes, we can conclude that there is a dissociation between structural thalamo cortical brain changes in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, along with aberrant functional thalamo cortical interactions that get worse as a function of disease severity as generalized tonic clonic seizures relate to more severe task-related dysfunction (Fig. 3A).

Brain

Wales' current players will, by now, be reflecting on the more severe tasks before them.

The Guardian - Sport

She suffered a severe stroke, and Dahl tasked himself with her rehabilitation, telling the English press that she would be "working again within the year".

The New Yorker

The water maze task itself is a severe stressor for mice and rats due to the high degree of novelty and the life-threatening condition.

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology

29 If people with T1DM do not feel comfortable disclosing their condition for fear of negative consequences, they may put their health and safety at risk by delaying essential self-management tasks, or having a severe hypoglycaemic event that their colleagues do not recognise readily (placing them at risk of delayed treatment).

BMJ Open

The production company have her in a severe dark uniform, set her up marching sternly to her task, and play foreboding music as she arrives.

The Guardian

Patients could perform the task despite its apparent complexity, even those in a severe 'off' state.

Brain

The task of creating a new police and military force was a "severe burden" that neither U.S. troops nor civilian agencies were prepared to undertake.

Huffington Post

A severe economic slowdown.

The New York Times

A severe depression followed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a severe task", ensure the context clearly establishes the challenging or demanding nature of the task. Provide specific details to illustrate why it is considered severe.

Common error

Avoid using "severe" as a generic intensifier. Ensure that the task genuinely warrants the description, and that the severity is evident to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a severe task" functions as a noun phrase, where "severe" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "task". Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It describes a task that is considerably difficult, demanding, or challenging.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a severe task" is a phrase used to describe a particularly difficult or demanding undertaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriately used in various contexts, especially within news and scientific domains. While alternatives such as "a formidable undertaking" or "a daunting challenge" exist, "a severe task" emphasizes the intensity and potential consequences of the difficulty involved. It's important to ensure the severity is justified and evident to the reader when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a formidable undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking" and "severe" with "formidable", emphasizing the scale and potential difficulty.

a daunting challenge

Substitutes both words to highlight the intimidating and challenging aspects of the task.

a demanding assignment

Uses "assignment" instead of "task" and "demanding" instead of "severe", focusing on the effort required.

a taxing endeavor

Replaces "task" with "endeavor" and "severe" with "taxing", emphasizing the strain it puts on one's resources.

a rigorous exercise

Substitutes with terms that highlight the demanding and precise nature of the activity.

a difficult responsibility

Highlights the burden and potential consequences associated with the task.

a strenuous activity

Emphasizes the physical or mental effort required.

a grueling ordeal

Suggests a particularly harsh and unpleasant experience.

a burdensome chore

Implies a task that is not only difficult but also unwelcome.

an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the difficulty and resistance involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a severe task" to describe something that is very difficult or demanding. For example: "Completing the project under such tight deadlines was "a severe task"." Consider alternatives such as "a daunting challenge" or "a difficult undertaking".

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

Alternatives include "a formidable undertaking", "a demanding assignment", or "a taxing endeavor". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect of the task you wish to emphasize.

Is "a severe task" the same as "a difficult task"?

While similar, "a severe task" implies a higher degree of difficulty or demanding nature than "a difficult task". "Severe" suggests something that is not only challenging but also potentially overwhelming or requires significant effort and resources to overcome.

When is it appropriate to use "a severe task"?

Use "a severe task" when the task at hand is exceptionally challenging, demanding, or has significant potential consequences. It's appropriate when the difficulty level is beyond the ordinary and requires considerable effort, skill, or resources.