an ambitious undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"an ambitious undertaking" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It typically refers to a difficult or challenging task or project that requires a lot of effort or determination to complete successfully. Example: The company's plan to expand into international markets was an ambitious undertaking, but their hard work and dedication paid off with record-breaking profits.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 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

The ACE study was an ambitious undertaking.

The New Yorker

This is an ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times - Books

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

Patio is in its small way an ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times - Food

In that respect, it is an ambitious undertaking and a valuable resource.

The New York Times - Books

And Sarkozy has yet to say how he would pay for such an ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times - Magazine

Ms. Claybrook said that regulators did not have the staff necessary for such an ambitious undertaking.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing projects, use "an ambitious undertaking" to convey the scale and level of effort required. This highlights the complexity and importance of the endeavor.

Common error

Avoid using "an ambitious undertaking" when the project is relatively simple or straightforward. This can lead to an overestimation of the project's scale and create unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ambitious undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a task or project as being challenging and requiring significant effort. As Ludwig AI points out, it is a commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ambitious undertaking" is a commonly used phrase to describe a challenging and significant project. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, and Ludwig's examples show it describing projects ranging from scientific research to artistic endeavors. When using this phrase, ensure the scale and effort involved are genuinely substantial, as overstating can diminish credibility. Consider alternatives like "a challenging endeavor" or "a major project" if a less forceful description is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor" and "ambitious" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty.

a formidable challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and the obstacles to overcome.

a major project

Simplifies the phrase by using more common words, emphasizing the size and importance of the project.

a monumental effort

Emphasizes the large scale and significant work involved.

a significant task

Highlights the importance of the task, rather than the effort required.

a grand scheme

Emphasizes the scale and vision of the project, suggesting ambition and scope.

a complex assignment

Highlights the intricacy and demanding nature of the task.

an extensive operation

Focuses on the operational aspect, suggesting a complex and widespread effort.

a bold venture

Highlights the risk and courage involved in the project.

a daring enterprise

Stresses the courage and innovation of the project.

FAQs

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

You can use "an ambitious undertaking" to describe a project that is challenging and requires a lot of effort. For example, "Launching a new product line is "an ambitious undertaking" for any company".

What are some alternatives to "an ambitious undertaking"?

Alternatives include "a challenging endeavor", "a major project", or "a significant task", depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize.

Is it better to say "an ambitious undertaking" or "a difficult task"?

"An ambitious undertaking" implies a larger scope and more complexity than "a difficult task". The best choice depends on the scale and nature of the project being described. Use "a difficult task" when the project is just difficult, but doesn't require lots of effort.

What makes an undertaking "ambitious"?

An undertaking is considered "ambitious" if it requires significant resources, effort, and innovation to achieve, and if it aims for a high level of accomplishment or impact.