an arduous task

USAGE SUMMARY

'an arduous task' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used when referring to something that requires a lot of effort, time, or dedication. For example, "Completing my thesis was an arduous task, but I'm glad I did it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Q Was this an arduous task?

The New York Times

It has been an arduous task.

Yale University

Transcribing Mohawk is an arduous task.

The New Yorker

Both made reading an arduous task.

The New York Times

Deciphering this "neural coding" can be an arduous task.

The Economist

"This was an arduous task, yeah," he admits.

The Guardian

It is an arduous task for an actress.

The New York Times

In reality, composing a label is an arduous task.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, choosing a proper cosolvent in supercritical extraction is an arduous task.

Chemical Engineering Science

Industrial Strength Standardization: Starting a school in India is an arduous task.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's an arduous task that requires stamina, perseverance, tenacity and binocular vision.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an arduous task" when you want to emphasize the significant effort, perseverance, and time required to complete something. It's suitable for formal and serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "an arduous task" in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a tough job" or "a difficult challenge" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an arduous task" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "arduous" modifies the noun "task". It typically serves as the subject complement or object in a sentence, describing the nature of the task. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

24%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an arduous task" is a frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the demanding nature of a particular activity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness for formal contexts. It is widely used in news, academic, and scientific writing to highlight the significant effort, perseverance, and time required to complete something. When aiming for a more casual tone, it's best to opt for simpler alternatives. Remember to use "an arduous task" when you want to emphasize the serious and challenging aspects of the work at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging endeavor

Replaces 'arduous' with 'challenging' and 'task' with 'endeavor', suggesting a difficult but potentially rewarding undertaking.

a demanding undertaking

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort involved, using 'demanding' instead of 'arduous' and 'undertaking' instead of 'task'.

a formidable assignment

Highlights the difficulty and scale of the task, using 'formidable' and 'assignment' to alter the tone.

a grueling activity

Suggests a physically or mentally exhausting activity, substituting 'arduous' with 'grueling'.

a tough job

Offers a simpler, more informal alternative using common vocabulary.

a laborious effort

Focuses on the intensive labor required, replacing 'arduous task' with 'laborious effort'.

a Herculean effort

Implies that the effort needed is as difficult as the 12 Labours of Hercules.

a difficult feat

Highlights the accomplishment aspect of the task, making it a difficult thing to achieve.

a trying experience

Focuses on the stressful or unpleasant nature of the task.

a complex operation

Conveys difficulty through complexity, often used in technical or formal settings.

FAQs

How can I use "an arduous task" in a sentence?

You can use "an arduous task" to describe activities requiring significant effort and time. For example: "Completing the research paper was "an arduous task"." or "Reaching a consensus proved to be "an arduous task" for the committee."

What are some alternatives to "an arduous task"?

Alternatives include "a challenging endeavor", "a demanding undertaking", or "a formidable assignment" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an arduous task" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "an arduous task" is more suited for formal writing or serious discussions. In informal settings, consider using simpler phrases like "a tough job" or "a difficult challenge".

What makes "an arduous task" different from "a difficult task"?

"Arduous" implies a task that is not only difficult but also requires sustained effort, perseverance, and often involves unpleasantness or hardship, making it a more intense descriptor than simply "difficult".