a troublesome task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a troublesome task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is difficult, challenging, or causes problems. Example: "Completing the project on time proved to be a troublesome task due to unforeseen complications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The target should have been substantially greater but, despite England's litany of batting errors, it still seemed sufficient to pose their opponents a troublesome task.

Independent

However, the choice of the appropriate model may be a troublesome task when the considered reactor is of a complex geometry.

Chemical Engineering Science

Nevertheless, a troublesome task in these techniques is the imposition of essential boundary conditions, as in general the Kronecker delta property is not satisfied.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

High-throughput functional expression of cytochrome P450s have long been a troublesome task due to the workload involved in cloning of each individual P450 into a suitable expression vector.

Protein Expression and Purification

Hence, to control and optimize the level of HMF formation is a troublesome task.

Chemistry Central Journal

Doers and doings in business, entertainment and technology: Sometimes offspring find fleeing the nest to be a troublesome task.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

By investing a minimum of $10k into our funds, we handle every troublesome task when it comes to acquiring a work of art.

Huffington Post

Ms. Kron's play is a warm, ingeniously constructed comedy about the troublesome task of translating life experience into art, and about the equally tough challenge of negotiating the emotional minefield of mother-daughter relations.

The New York Times

Each item is scored according to response efficiency: 0 = unable to execute task; 0.5 = troublesome task execution; 1.0 = task easily executed.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

This compounds with difficulty in identifying homology by sequence alignment [ 29], the troublesome task of assigning orthologous relationships [ 28], and the problem of saturation of substitutions [ 15].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The word taxi driver was practically synonymous with thug, but they have been transformed into veritable marvels of kindness and human sympathy, Willing to perform most troublesome tasks to return a lost package - to provide gay conversation, even music - honest and careful.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a troublesome task", consider specifying why the task is troublesome to provide more context and clarity for the reader. For example, "Managing the budget became a troublesome task due to unexpected expenses."

Common error

While "a troublesome task" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "a challenging endeavor" or "a difficult undertaking" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a troublesome task" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig highlights, it's used to denote an activity or duty fraught with difficulty or complications.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a troublesome task" is a grammatically sound and readily understandable phrase used to describe tasks that present difficulties or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is perfectly suitable for use in written English. While it appears most frequently in science and news media, it maintains a neutral register, making it adaptable for diverse contexts. To avoid repetition, consider using synonyms such as "a challenging endeavor" or "a difficult undertaking". Remember to provide specific reasons why a task is troublesome to offer clarity and enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging endeavor

Replaces "task" with "endeavor" and "troublesome" with "challenging", softening the negative connotation.

a difficult undertaking

Substitutes "task" with "undertaking" and "troublesome" with "difficult", emphasizing the effort required.

a problematic activity

Replaces "task" with "activity" and "troublesome" with "problematic", focusing on the issues involved.

a demanding job

Replaces "task" with "job" and "troublesome" with "demanding", highlighting the high requirements.

a complex assignment

Substitutes "task" with "assignment" and "troublesome" with "complex", indicating intricacy.

a thorny issue

Replaces the entire phrase with a metaphor, suggesting the task is full of potential problems.

a taxing chore

Substitutes "task" with "chore" and "troublesome" with "taxing", emphasizing the burden it creates.

an arduous undertaking

Replaces both words to provide a more formal and intense description of the difficulty.

a bothersome chore

Substitutes "task" with "chore" and "troublesome" with "bothersome", slightly decreasing the intensity.

a grinding process

Implies the task is long, repetitive and difficult.

FAQs

What does "a troublesome task" mean?

The phrase "a troublesome task" refers to a job, duty, or responsibility that is difficult, causes problems, or is generally unpleasant to deal with.

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

You can use "a troublesome task" to describe something that presents difficulties or challenges. For example: "Negotiating the contract proved to be "a troublesome task".".

What are some alternatives to "a troublesome task"?

Alternatives include "a challenging endeavor", "a difficult undertaking", or "a problematic activity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a troublesome task" formal or informal?

"A troublesome task" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While not overly technical or jargon-filled, it's a clear and understandable phrase that can be used in various writing styles.