a significant task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that is important or has considerable impact or weight in a given context. Example: "Completing the project on time is a significant task that requires careful planning and coordination."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ms. Adams said the agency faced a significant task, however, because of the sheer number of sites involved.

The New York Times

It said that to achieve all that it wanted would be a "significant task requiring policy decisions across a great number of areas, including balancing some competing priorities".

The Guardian

Moving to online marking has been a significant task and we're grateful for the support we've had from our marking colleagues.

The Guardian

The gruesome job of recovering and identifying partial remains has been a significant task for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the signature weapon of the adversary has been homemade bombs hidden beneath and beside roadways.

The New York Times

His actual last work, carried forward in the French village of Saint-Gérand-le-Puy Saint-Gérand-le-Puy Saint-Gérand-le-Puy Saint-Gérand-le-Puyusand misprints in "Finnegans with" — a significantheask, given thelpnique letter-by-letter difficulty of the text and Joyce's near-blindness.

The New Yorker

Concluding the final public evidence session of his inquiry yesterday, having heard for the third time from the former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Sir John Chilcot, the career civil servant who has led the inquiry, said that completing their final report would be a "significant task" which would take months.

Independent

was a significant task that required sensitivity.

Earth, Planets and Space

Furthermore, it is a significant task to understand how noise influences the dynamics of complex networks.

Advances in Difference Equations

This makes data quality checking a significant task and simultaneously a challenge for predictive toxicology.

Journal of Cheminformatics

With speculation, capital infusion is needed to keep the currency stable, which can be a significant task.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In addition, a significant task-by-sex interaction effect was observed which involved a distributed set of brain regions, including several frontal areas.

Acta Psychologica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a piece of work, consider whether "significant" truly reflects its importance or impact. If it's merely time-consuming, other descriptors like "lengthy" or "extensive" might be more accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant task" for routine or minor activities. Reserve it for situations where the task genuinely carries substantial weight or importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant task" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" modifies the noun "task." As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe a task that is important or has considerable impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe a task that holds importance, impact, or requires substantial effort. Its neutral to formal register makes it suitable for diverse professional and informative contexts, including science, news, and business. While versatile, it's crucial to reserve it for tasks that genuinely warrant the descriptor 'significant,' avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternative phrases such as "a substantial undertaking" or "a major endeavor" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and effort required, differing from "task" in its implication of greater complexity.

a major endeavor

Indicates a significant and challenging attempt or effort, suggesting more ambition than "task".

a considerable project

Highlights the planning and resources involved, implying a more structured approach compared to "task".

an important assignment

Focuses on the assigned nature and relevance of the work, differing from the more general sense of "task".

a critical responsibility

Stresses the importance and accountability associated with the work, adding a layer of obligation not present in "task".

a key objective

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of the work, framing it as a central aim rather than a general "task".

a demanding activity

Emphasizes the effort and skill required, suggesting a more challenging nature than a simple "task".

a weighty obligation

Highlights the burdensome or serious nature of the work, adding a sense of duty and potential stress.

a challenging endeavor

Focuses on the difficulties and obstacles involved, emphasizing the need for problem-solving and resilience.

a complex undertaking

Indicates multiple interconnected steps or factors, suggesting a more intricate and involved process compared to a simple "task".

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant task" to describe work that is important or consequential. For example, "Completing this research paper is "a significant task" for my grade."

What are some alternatives to "a significant task"?

Alternatives include "a major endeavor", "a substantial undertaking", or "an important assignment depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "a significant task at hand"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. Adding "at hand" emphasizes that the task needs immediate attention or is currently being addressed.

What's the difference between "a significant task" and "a simple task"?

"A significant task" denotes a task that carries importance or consequence, while "a simple task" refers to one that is easy or straightforward to complete.