a very hard task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very hard task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that is particularly challenging or difficult to accomplish. Example: "Completing the project on time proved to be a very hard task for the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Vinterberg may be a fine director, but he is going to have a very hard task topping this.

The Guardian - Film

It became a very hard task to grind it down and we didn't have the fuel or the time to do that".

The Guardian

"It's not up to me to judge the performances of the officials, I can only say it was a very hard task that the referee trio had on the field of play.

The Guardian - Sport

But it is proving to be a very hard task in Norway to achieve these objectives.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

In general, this is a very hard task for multidimensional problems.

Journal of Computational Physics

This is a very hard task which can be performed by changing the reactor operating mode from semibatch to continuous.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Transient identification in nuclear power plants (NPP) is often a computational very hard task and may involve a great amount of human cognition.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

I know from personal experience that motivating college students is a very, very hard task.

Huffington Post

We still have over 200 square brackets in the relevant text, so we must really get down to the very hard task of removing those square brackets and completing a clean text in good time for our capitals, for our governments, to analyze the document carefully and submit it to the Summit.

FAO

Indeed, room scenario used consists of a large area and even contains darker portions, where segmentation proved to be very hard task.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

That's going to be very hard task.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the difficulty of a task, consider the audience and context. In formal writing, alternatives like "challenging endeavor" or "formidable undertaking" may be more appropriate than "a very hard task".

Common error

While "very" intensifies the adjective, overuse can weaken your writing. Consider replacing "very hard" with a stronger, more descriptive word like "arduous", "taxing", or "demanding" to convey the difficulty more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very hard task" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It identifies a specific activity or goal that is characterized by a high degree of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very hard task" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a particularly challenging undertaking. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use across various domains, including science, news, and general writing. While generally acceptable, it's advisable to consider the audience and context when choosing between "a very hard task" and more formal alternatives like "challenging endeavor" or "formidable undertaking". Overusing "very" can dilute the impact of your writing, so consider replacing "very hard" with more descriptive adjectives like "arduous", "taxing", or "demanding" for enhanced clarity and impact. Using varied vocabulary can create stronger, more descriptive writing overall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an extremely difficult assignment

Replaces "hard" with "difficult" and "task" with "assignment", emphasizing the difficulty level.

a particularly challenging endeavor

Substitutes "hard" with "challenging" and "task" with "endeavor", adding a nuance of complexity.

a formidable undertaking

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective-noun combination implying significant difficulty and scope.

an arduous undertaking

Uses "arduous" to emphasize the effort and strain involved, maintaining the noun "undertaking".

a taxing job

Replaces "task" with "job" and "very hard" with "taxing", focusing on the demanding nature of the work.

a demanding activity

Substitutes "task" with "activity" and "very hard" with "demanding", highlighting the effort required.

a herculean effort

Emphasizes the immense strength and effort required, referencing the mythological hero Hercules.

a grueling activity

Uses "grueling" to describe the exhausting and physically demanding nature of the task.

a tricky proposition

Replaces "hard task" with "tricky proposition", suggesting a need for careful handling and strategy.

a complex undertaking

Focuses on the intricate and multi-layered nature of the task, implying difficulty through complexity.

FAQs

How can I use "a very hard task" in a sentence?

You can use "a very hard task" to describe something that requires significant effort or skill. For example, "Completing the project on time was "a very hard task" for the team."

What are some alternatives to "a very hard task"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging task", "a difficult task", or "a formidable undertaking" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a very hard task" or "a difficult task"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a difficult task" is often preferred in formal writing as it avoids the potentially redundant use of "very". Consider the context and audience when choosing between the two.

What makes something "a very hard task" rather than just "a hard task"?

The addition of "very" emphasizes the degree of difficulty. "A very hard task" implies that the task requires exceptional effort, skill, or resources to complete successfully compared to simply "a hard task".