a time-consuming project

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a time-consuming project" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a project that requires a significant amount of time to complete. Example: "The new software development is a time-consuming project that will take several months to finish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The skill set and training left the U.S. a long time ago and it's a time-consuming project to bring it back".

TechCrunch

The title track was a time-consuming project; Lindstrøm called it a "nightmare to finish".

Wikipedia

Looking at each item in your home, from the curtains and throw pillows to the contents of your desk drawer, is a time-consuming project, to be sure.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Finding a hotel room on any budget can be a time consuming project.

Forbes

Have some books on the floor, some paper spread out, and even scissors and glue to look like it's really a time consuming project.

WikiHow

At the time, he was deep into a very time-consuming project: moving his light paintings beyond.gifs and into the realm of true animation.

Vice

To evaluate the contribution of the two fewer atoms of the symmetrical hemin, we would need to investigate the Modelfree behavior of NP2 reconstituted with the symmetrical hemin, a very time-consuming project, which is deemed unlikely to yield markedly different results.

Biochemistry

It was an incredibly time-consuming project that required hiring fixers/filmmakers in the respective countries as we had a very tight budget that wouldn't have covered my traveling to the countries.

The New York Times

Oregon embarked on an elaborate, time-consuming project of priority-setting, involving many thousands of hours by members of the Oregon Health Services Committee and by volunteers from the community.

Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation

Clarifying juice removes that haze; it's a fun but time-consuming project that can be done by a variety of means (from using coffee filters to strain out particles to using milk proteins to bind with and remove them).

The Washington Post

"That's why this was an expensive and time-consuming project".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the 'time-consuming' aspect by providing an estimated duration or timeframe to give your audience a better sense of the project's scope. For example, "a time-consuming project that is expected to take six months to complete".

Common error

Avoid using "a time-consuming project" as a generic descriptor. Instead, offer context by detailing what makes the project time-consuming. Is it due to complex data analysis, extensive research, or multiple stages of approval? Specificity adds clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a time-consuming project" functions as a noun phrase, where "time-consuming" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "project". This phrase serves to describe a particular characteristic of the project. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a time-consuming project" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for describing an activity that requires a significant investment of time. Ludwig confirms its validity. Its communicative purpose is to inform the audience about the anticipated duration and level of commitment necessary, and it maintains a neutral to professional tone adaptable to both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives exist, this phrase remains a direct and clear way to convey the expected time investment. When using the phrase, specificity regarding why a project is time-consuming improves clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lengthy undertaking

Emphasizes the duration of the project.

a protracted endeavor

Highlights the extended nature of the project, suggesting it has taken longer than expected.

a laborious task

Focuses on the amount of effort required.

a drawn-out process

Indicates that the project is taking a long time to complete, possibly longer than desired.

a demanding assignment

Stresses the high level of effort and attention required.

an intensive activity

Highlights the focused effort and concentration needed.

a resource-intensive operation

Focuses on the significant resources needed, including time, manpower, and materials.

a prolonged activity

Simply emphasizes the extended duration of the activity.

a comprehensive exercise

Highlights the thoroughness and detail involved.

an involved procedure

Emphasizes the complexity and intricacy of the steps required.

FAQs

How can I use "a time-consuming project" in a sentence?

You can use "a time-consuming project" to describe an activity that requires a significant amount of time and effort. For example: "Developing the new software is "a time-consuming project" that requires careful planning and execution."

What are some alternatives to "a time-consuming project"?

Some alternatives include "a lengthy undertaking", "a protracted endeavor", or "a laborious task". These alternatives emphasize different aspects of the project, such as its duration or the effort involved.

Is it better to say "a time-consuming project" or "a project that takes a lot of time"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a time-consuming project" is more concise and idiomatic. The choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific context. For a more formal tone, you might prefer "a project that takes a lot of time."

What makes a project "a time-consuming project"?

A project can be considered "a time-consuming project" if it involves numerous steps, requires specialized skills, demands extensive research, or faces unexpected delays. The phrase highlights the significant investment of time needed for its completion.