a tough undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tough undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that is challenging or difficult to accomplish. Example: "Completing the marathon was a tough undertaking, but I felt a great sense of achievement afterward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Triplets can be a tough undertaking for any first-time parent.

The New York Times

The team co-owner Dennis Reinbold said: "It's a tough undertaking, but they had capable people who knew what they were doing and could pull it off.

The New York Times - Sports

Six years ago, when she started the business, Baxter had no idea what a tough undertaking it would be and what long hours she would work.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's more like live-in writing, since each man settled in the community he portrays, a tougher undertaking than the dispatch of an itinerant scribbler.

The Guardian - Books

It is an even tougher undertaking to encompass four generations' worth of such voices in a series of short stories.

The Times

And while conservatives may say that the rising age of women having children is a new social problem to be concerned with, the reality is that everybody – teenage girls included – is coming to the realisation that having children can be a tough and unpredictable undertaking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wozzeck was a tough work to undertake: if we were introducing audiences and participants to a new art form, then let it be to the art form at its most challenging and spiritually powerful.

The Guardian - Music

Ms. Chao undertook a tough reorganization, which included cutting her salary to half that of Mr. Aramony's, cutting the administrative budget by 30percentt and laying off a third of the staff.

The New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO — It is difficult to imagine a tougher place to undertake a major redevelopment than the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard here.

The New York Times

The documentary portrait is a tough genre, because it's generally undertaken in a spirit of forthright enthusiasm for its subject, which gets in the way of asking the tough questions.

The New Yorker

Persuading the architects to undertake the project was not even a tough sell.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a tough undertaking", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific task or project being described. Provide enough detail to highlight the challenges involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a tough undertaking" when describing tasks that are merely inconvenient or require minimal effort. Reserve it for situations genuinely involving significant challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tough undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" modifies the noun "undertaking". It generally describes a task, project, or endeavor that is challenging and requires considerable effort. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tough undertaking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a demanding task or project. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's particularly prevalent in news and media. Remember to use it when the situation genuinely involves significant challenges and provide enough context to highlight those difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor" emphasizing effort and purpose. Changes also "tough" with "challenging".

a difficult task

Uses "task" instead of "undertaking" and "difficult" instead of "tough", focusing on the work involved.

a demanding project

Substitutes "undertaking" with "project" and "tough" with "demanding", highlighting the effort and resources required.

a formidable challenge

Replaces "undertaking" with "challenge" and "tough" with "formidable", stressing the level of difficulty and potential obstacles.

a grueling assignment

Uses "assignment" instead of "undertaking" and "grueling" instead of "tough", highlighting the physical and mental strain involved.

a rigorous exercise

Replaces "undertaking" with "exercise" and "tough" with "rigorous", emphasizing the thoroughness and precision required.

an arduous mission

Substitutes "undertaking" with "mission" and "tough" with "arduous", focusing on the difficulty and endurance required to achieve a goal.

a strenuous effort

Uses "effort" instead of "undertaking" and "strenuous" instead of "tough", highlighting the energy and exertion involved.

a herculean task

Replacing "tough undertaking" with a simile that emphazises the difficulty and effort required.

a complex operation

Substitutes "undertaking" with "operation" and "tough" with "complex", focusing on the many parts and details involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tough undertaking" to describe any challenging task or project. For example, "Climbing Mount Everest is "a tough undertaking" requiring extensive preparation."

What are some alternatives to saying "a tough undertaking"?

Alternatives include "a challenging endeavor", "a difficult task", or "a demanding project" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a tough undertaking" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "a formidable challenge".

What makes "a tough undertaking" different from "a simple task"?

"A tough undertaking" implies a task that requires significant effort, skill, and resources, whereas "a simple task" suggests something easy and straightforward. The key difference lies in the level of difficulty and complexity.