a substantial task

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial task" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or significant task that requires a lot of effort or time to complete. Example: "Taking care of an elderly family member can be a substantial task, requiring patience and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It will be a substantial task to rewire it.

The Guardian - Business

Bloomberg administration officials have acknowledged that De Blasio inherits a substantial task in tackling the city's homeless problem.

The Guardian

The government has faced a substantial task to meet its commitment to return the budget to surplus in 2016-17.

The Guardian

Westminster is a different matter.Mr Cameron should be emboldened by that, because he faces a substantial task.

The Economist

Part of the problem is that many high school teachers have 120 to 200 students, and so reading and grading even a weekly one-page paper per student would be a substantial task.

The New York Times

This was potentially a substantial task; ideally the user needs a good user-interface on their device to let them import, export, generate, lock and unlock keys - a lot of work to implement well.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They did not give me any substantial tasks.

Human Relations

The crew of space shuttle Atlantis installed a treadmill aboard the international space station today, the last substantial task on this mission inside the orbiting complex.

The New York Times

England's approach to their substantial task yesterday was refreshingly positive.

The Guardian - Sport

Whilst the policy appears valid from the end-user perspective, the case study highlights the substantial task ahead for policy makers to establish suitable commissioning and compliance processes, and develop effective energy rating tools on the path to zero energy homes.

Energy Policy

Given the substantial task of addressing all the recommendations, Trudeau began the process immediately by meeting with leaders of several Aboriginal groups on Parliament Hill to discuss steps forward.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial task" to describe projects or duties that require considerable resources, effort, or time, rather than minor or trivial activities.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial task" for activities that are routine or easily accomplished. This can dilute the impact of the phrase and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial task" functions as a noun phrase, where 'substantial' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'task'. According to Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial task" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing an undertaking of significant size or complexity. It is most frequently found in news and media and scientific contexts, with a neutral to professional register. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not overly common, it is appropriate for formal writing when you want to emphasize the considerable effort or resources required for a task. Alternatives include "a significant undertaking" or "a considerable challenge", offering similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant undertaking

Replaces 'task' with 'undertaking' and 'substantial' with 'significant', emphasizing the project's importance.

a considerable challenge

Substitutes 'task' with 'challenge', highlighting the difficulty involved.

a major endeavor

Replaces 'task' with 'endeavor' and 'substantial' with 'major', suggesting a large-scale effort.

a demanding assignment

Replaces 'task' with 'assignment', specifying a given duty that requires effort.

a hefty responsibility

Shifts the focus to the obligation aspect, using 'hefty' to describe the weight of the responsibility.

a formidable project

Replaces 'task' with 'project', suggesting a planned undertaking, and 'substantial' with 'formidable', emphasizing the scale and potential difficulty.

a weighty matter

Replaces 'task' with 'matter' to indicate a serious issue needing attention.

an onerous duty

Replaces 'task' with 'duty' and substantial with 'onerous' which suggests that the job is unpleasant or difficult.

a Herculean effort

Uses a hyperbole to suggest that the task will require extreme effort and strength, similar to the tasks of Hercules.

a taxing job

Replaces 'task' with 'job' and 'substantial' with 'taxing', indicating that the job will require significant physical or mental effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial task" to describe an undertaking that requires significant effort or resources. For instance, "Rewiring the city's electrical grid is "a substantial task"."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial task"?

Alternatives include "a significant undertaking", "a considerable challenge", or "a major endeavor", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a substantial task" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing serious or complex projects. It maintains a professional and clear tone.

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

"A substantial task" implies a significant amount of effort and complexity, whereas "a simple task" denotes something easy and straightforward. The choice depends on the actual nature of the task being described.