a very difficult work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very difficult work" is not correct in standard English usage.
It should be "a very difficult piece of work" or "very difficult work" without the article "a" when referring to work in general. Example: "Completing the project was a very difficult piece of work that required extensive research and collaboration."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This is a very difficult work written in serial form and based on a single twelve-tone row.

The New Yorker

A culture of blame can create a very difficult work environment, says Alina Tugend, who writes the Shortcuts column for The New York Times and is the author of "Better By Mistake".

The New York Times

Dispersing nanoparticles inside engine oil, due to the base oil's high viscosity, is a very difficult work.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Otherwise, the synthesis of porous iron, the most important magnetic transition metal, remains a very difficult work [12].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Moreover, the c ovl score can be regarded as an objective measure highly correlated with the intelligibility of speech, and it is a very difficult work to improve the intelligibility of speech.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The ministry needs to figure this stuff out because poisoned labor relations are making it a very difficult working environment.

Vice

"The ministry needs to figure this stuff out because poisoned labour relations are making it a very difficult working environment.

Vice

This is very difficult work for a number of reasons.

BBC

And if you get a volunteer, usually it's a short-term volunteer because it's just very very difficult work...

Huffington Post

Around us, the city was still on a human scale, with small, artisanal shops: a man making tofu late in the evening ("Very difficult work, Marcel-san.

The Guardian - Travel

It's very difficult work, and he would like a different job in the city.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Alternatively, use "very difficult work" (without the article "a") when referring to work in general.

Common error

Avoid using "a very difficult work" when referring to work in general. It's more appropriate to say "very difficult work" or "a very difficult piece of work."

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, modifying a noun (work). It serves to characterize the nature of the work being discussed, highlighting its complexity and the challenges involved. As noted by Ludwig, the use of the article is debated.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very difficult work" is used to describe a task or project that presents significant challenges. While understandable, it's considered grammatically questionable, Ludwig suggests that it's more appropriate to use "very difficult work" when referring to general work or "a very difficult piece of work" for a specific task. It can be found in diverse fields like Science and News Media. When describing a difficult task, remember that alternatives like "an exceedingly challenging task" or "a particularly tough undertaking" can also accurately convey the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exceedingly challenging task

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the work more strongly.

a particularly tough undertaking

Highlights the effort and commitment required.

a considerably arduous project

Focuses on the laboriousness of the project.

a severely complex endeavor

Highlights the intricate and complicated nature.

a remarkably intricate operation

Implies the presence of many interconnected parts or steps.

a formidably demanding job

Stresses the high standards and expectations involved.

a notably herculean effort

Evokes a sense of immense strength and perseverance needed.

an exceptionally knotty problem

Suggests a problem that is tangled and hard to resolve.

a decidedly labyrinthine assignment

Indicates a task that is complex and full of twists and turns.

a strikingly uphill battle

Highlights the struggle and resistance faced.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a very difficult work"?

While you may encounter the phrase "a very difficult work", it's generally considered more correct to say "a very difficult piece of work" when referring to a specific task or use "very difficult work" when referring to work in general.

What's the difference between "a very difficult work" and "very difficult work"?

"A very difficult work" is less common and grammatically questionable. "Very difficult work" is generally used to describe the nature of work in general, whereas "a very difficult piece of work" refers to a specific task.

What are some alternative ways to describe "a very difficult work"?

You could use phrases like "an exceedingly challenging task", "a particularly tough undertaking", or "a considerably arduous project" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "a very difficult work"?

The phrase might appear in contexts where the speaker is not a native English speaker, or in informal settings. However, it's generally advisable to use "very difficult work" or "a very difficult piece of work" for clarity and grammatical correctness.