ambitious undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ambitious undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a project or task that requires significant effort, resources, or determination to achieve. Example: "The team embarked on an ambitious undertaking to develop a sustainable energy solution for the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hers is an ambitious undertaking.

The Economist

It was an ambitious undertaking.

The Economist

It's an ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times - Books

It is a hugely ambitious undertaking.

The Guardian

The ACE study was an ambitious undertaking.

The New Yorker

He had asked their views on the ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times

THE re-unification of Bosnia is a worryingly ambitious undertaking.

The Economist

One describes it as perhaps Mr Sharif's most ambitious undertaking.

The Economist

Zuckerberg and Chan acknowledged it was an ambitious undertaking.

The Guardian - Tech

EVEN in flush times, CityCenter was an ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is an ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ambitious undertaking" to describe projects that not only require substantial resources but also aim for significant and impactful results. It conveys a sense of scale and aspiration beyond typical projects.

Common error

Avoid using "ambitious undertaking" for routine or small-scale tasks. Reserve it for projects that genuinely warrant the description due to their complexity, scope, and potential impact. Consider using more appropriate phrases for less significant tasks to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ambitious undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "ambitious" modifies the noun "undertaking". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples, describing a project or activity that is challenging and requires significant effort. It aligns with Ludwig AI stating the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ambitious undertaking" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that describes a project or task requiring significant effort and resources. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage, and it appears most commonly in News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the scale and potential impact of the described activity, avoiding overuse for routine tasks. Consider alternatives like "challenging project" or "bold endeavor" to diversify your writing. Top sources like The New York Times and The Economist commonly employ the expression, demonstrating its broad acceptance in authoritative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging project

Replaces "undertaking" with "project", emphasizing the project-based nature of the task.

bold endeavor

Replaces "ambitious" with "bold" and "undertaking" with "endeavor", focusing on the courage required.

daring venture

Substitutes "ambitious" with "daring" and "undertaking" with "venture", highlighting the risk involved.

major initiative

Substitutes "undertaking" with "initiative", suggesting a proactive and significant effort.

grand scheme

Replaces both words to imply a large-scale and ambitious plan.

formidable task

Emphasizes the difficulty of the undertaking by using "formidable" and "task".

significant effort

Focuses on the amount of effort required, rather than the undertaking itself.

complex operation

Replaces "undertaking" with "operation", suggesting a series of coordinated actions.

extensive plan

Highlights the planning aspect of the undertaking, using "extensive" to describe it.

sweeping reform

Suggests that the undertaking aims for broad and significant changes, often in a political or social context.

FAQs

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

You can use "ambitious undertaking" to describe a project or task that requires significant effort and resources. For example, "Developing a sustainable energy solution for the city is an ambitious undertaking."

What are some alternatives to "ambitious undertaking"?

You can use alternatives such as "challenging project", "daring venture", or "bold endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a ambitious undertaking" or "an ambitious undertaking"?

It is correct to say "an ambitious undertaking" because "ambitious" starts with a vowel sound. The article "an" is used before vowel sounds, while "a" is used before consonant sounds.

What makes an undertaking "ambitious"?

An undertaking is considered "ambitious" when it requires considerable effort, resources, and a high degree of determination to achieve. It often involves overcoming significant challenges and aiming for substantial results.