a substantial undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that requires significant effort, resources, or commitment. Example: "Launching a new product line is a substantial undertaking that demands careful planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

CONS: The kitchen and baths need updating; renovating the back stairs and multibedroom attic would be a substantial undertaking.

The New York Times

Ford has a substantial undertaking before employees and businesses move into the building.

TechCrunch

For @borthwick, the project is a substantial undertaking for a company we've been trivializing in recent months along with its stock price.

TechCrunch

It is a substantial undertaking.

Huffington Post

However, implementing care plan delivery and establishing other survivorship services can be a substantial undertaking that requires some restructuring of cancer care systems.

Huffington Post

MacFarlane described the crossover event to be an "enormous challenge" and a "substantial undertaking"; he chose to do one central story line so that each writing staff would not have to write stories for unfamiliar characters.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Finally, implications for LPG fuel quality standards are discussed briefly, as part of a suggested, more substantial undertaking by the community which also revisits the standard test procedures for measuring the RON and MON of LPG.

Fuel

The commission was hailed by some as the most substantial undertaking by a lieutenant governor to date, but was panned by others as a move by Beshear to better position himself for a run for governor in 1987.

Wikipedia

"You'd need to spend a lot of money to justify the substantial undertaking that Uber is undertaking".

TechCrunch

It is discussed in the text, represents a substantial experimental undertaking, and has important implications.

eLife

This experimental set up does not make any internal measurements of oxygen level or temperature, which may be of interest for future studies, but this is a substantial technical undertaking.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial undertaking", ensure the context clearly indicates the significant resources, time, or effort involved. For instance, describe the specific challenges or scale of the project to emphasize its substantial nature.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial undertaking" for tasks that are routine or easily managed. Reserve this phrase for projects that genuinely require considerable effort and resources to prevent exaggeration and maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig indicates that it is often used to describe projects or tasks that require significant effort and resources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a substantial undertaking" is a noun phrase used to describe tasks or projects requiring considerable effort, resources, or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal contexts. It commonly appears in science and news media, indicating its versatility. Related phrases include "a significant project" and "a major operation", offering alternative ways to convey the magnitude of the task. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context reflects the genuine scale of the undertaking to avoid overstatement. In summary, "a substantial undertaking" is a precise and effective way to communicate the significant demands of a particular endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant project

Replaces "undertaking" with "project" and "substantial" with "significant", emphasizing the importance and scope.

a major operation

Replaces "undertaking" with "operation" implying a complex and organized effort of considerable size.

a considerable task

Substitutes "undertaking" with "task", highlighting the effort required for completion. "Considerable" emphasizes the size.

a large endeavor

Uses "endeavor" instead of "undertaking", suggesting a serious and determined effort with "large" meaning about the same as "substantial".

a weighty commitment

Replaces "undertaking" with "commitment", focusing on the dedication required with "weighty" indicating the importance.

an extensive activity

Replaces "undertaking" with "activity", making the sentence refer to a practical action with an extended scope. The adjective used, extensive, highlights the reach of the action.

a demanding assignment

Substitutes "undertaking" with "assignment", placing importance on the mandatory aspect of the activity. "Demanding" highlights the intensity of the commitment.

a far-reaching enterprise

Replaces "undertaking" with "enterprise", implying that this task is a commercial activity with a vast scope.

a comprehensive mission

Emphasizes that "undertaking" is a mission, meaning that there's a specific and detailed goal for the activity.

a sweeping initiative

Highlights that "undertaking" is an initiative, meaning that it is the first move or a series of actions for an action plan with vast effect (sweeping).

FAQs

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

Use "a substantial undertaking" to describe a project or task that requires significant effort, resources, or commitment. For example, "Launching a new product line is "a substantial undertaking" that demands careful planning and execution."

What phrases are similar to "a substantial undertaking"?

Similar phrases include "a significant project", "a major operation", or "a considerable task". The best alternative depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

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

Yes, "a substantial undertaking" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a task that involves considerable effort. The register is suitable for business, academic, and professional contexts.

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

"A substantial undertaking" implies a significant level of complexity, resources, and time. In contrast, "a simple task" refers to something that is straightforward and requires minimal effort. Use "a substantial undertaking" when the activity genuinely requires considerable planning and execution.