a tedious undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tedious undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that is long, boring, and requires a lot of effort. Example: "Organizing the archives was a tedious undertaking that took several weeks to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The task of assembling drawings and backgrounds together for each frame of an animated sequence has always been a tedious undertaking using conventional animation camera stands, and has contributed to the high cost of animation production.

Stanford University

With the new and highly productive experimental approaches and techniques, kinetic studies no longer need to be a tedious undertaking that requires many runs before sufficient data become available to verify a mechanistic postulate.

Experimental Methods in Kinetic Studies

Purification of recombinant protein in sufficient yield and purity is a tedious undertaking and can be demanding especially in the case of membrane proteins.

BMC Biotechnology

Moreover, using them to compare results from orthologous genes across species is a tedious undertaking and they cannot display information on transcript levels and structures produced with high-density oligonucleotide tiling microarrays which contain overlapping probes covering the entire genome of a given species (9, 10).

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's a treacherous, tedious undertaking, and Kelly Reichardt, the director of this tough, quiet revelation of a movie, films it in an uninflected style that makes everything feel at once mundane and mysterious.

The New York Times

This makes "The Newsroom" an exponentially tedious undertaking for the viewer, when really all the show needs to be is slightly sardonic, occasionally frantic and mildly amusing.

The Washington Post

The Newsroom is an exponentially tedious undertaking for the viewer, when really all the show needs to be is slightly sardonic, occasionally frantic and mildly amusing.

The Guardian - Opinion

The other alternative to protecting power lines is burying them, an expensive and tedious undertaking, experts said.

The New York Times

In the case of compressible solvers, the use of high-order numerical schemes combined with complicated governing equations makes the derivation of efficient procedures a challenging and often tedious undertaking.

Journal of Computational Physics

This proved a major and often tedious undertaking as picture and sound drifted apart considerably.

BBC

The results of the tedious undertaking were then fed to a mosaic team and eventually rendered a true map of the entire planet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a tedious undertaking", consider if the specific type of tedium is relevant. If so, replace 'tedious' with a more descriptive adjective, such as 'laborious', 'monotonous' or 'grueling' to better convey the nature of the task.

Common error

While "a tedious undertaking" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in very formal writing. Opt for stronger, more precise language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tedious undertaking" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples, indicating that it describes a specific activity characterized by its boring and laborious nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tedious undertaking" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that describes a task characterized by its monotony and demand for significant effort. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's most frequently found in science, news, and academic contexts. While acceptable in various settings, more descriptive alternatives might be preferable for greater precision. Be careful not to overuse it in overly formal situations. Consider using alternative phrases such as "a laborious task" or "a wearisome endeavor" for specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a laborious task

Focuses more on the effort required, implying hard work and physical exertion.

a wearisome endeavor

Emphasizes the tiring and exhausting nature of the undertaking.

a grueling process

Highlights the demanding and exhausting aspects of the task.

a burdensome chore

Suggests that the task is an unwelcome obligation or responsibility.

a monotonous activity

Focuses on the repetitive and unvaried nature of the task, leading to boredom.

an irksome assignment

Suggests the task is annoying and frustrating.

a painstaking effort

Highlights the need for great care and attention to detail, which can be tiring.

a back-breaking job

Implies strenuous physical labor.

a mind-numbing exercise

Emphasizes the dulling and mentally exhausting nature of the task.

a soul-destroying occupation

Highlights the negative impact of the work on one's morale and enthusiasm.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tedious undertaking" to describe a task that is long, boring, and requires a lot of effort. For example: "Organizing the archives was "a tedious undertaking" that took several weeks to complete."

What are some alternatives to "a tedious undertaking"?

Some alternatives include "a laborious task", "a wearisome endeavor", or "a grueling process". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "tedious undertaking" formal or informal?

"Tedious undertaking" falls somewhere in the middle, being suitable for both neutral and formal contexts. However, in extremely formal settings, a more precise synonym might be preferable.

What makes something "a tedious undertaking"?

The tedium usually stems from the task being repetitive, time-consuming, and lacking in stimulation. It may also involve intricate details that require significant concentration.