an audacious undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an audacious undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a bold or daring project or task that requires significant effort or risk. Example: "Starting a new business in a competitive market is certainly an audacious undertaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That's quite an audacious undertaking.

The New York Times - Books

Still, it was an audacious undertaking.

The New York Times

The work is an audacious undertaking, and Mr. Kahane's writing rises to the occasion.

The New York Times - Arts

In a time of amazing industrial and scientific advances, few apparently doubted the feasibility of such an audacious undertaking.

Los Angeles Times

It's certainly an audacious undertaking -- but let's face it, if there was ever a time to display a bit of audacity, this is it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is an audacious and time-consuming undertaking, but he believes it is scientifically worthwhile.

Los Angeles Times

This nostalgic coming-of-age story is set during the Sputnik era in dreary West Virginia coal country, where the author (a future NASA engineer) and five pals undertook an audacious series of rocket launchings that captured the imagination of a dying region.

The New York Times - Books

Right or wrong, the Administration chose not to set an audacious goal for space exploration until the capabilities we needed to undertake such missions were clearly available or within our reach.

Huffington Post

It is an audacious proposition only two other private institutions, Stanford and Northwestern, even try it and the undertaking alone attests to Duke's vigor, and its idea of itself.

The New Yorker

It is an audacious proposition — only two other private institutions, Stanford and Northwestern, even try it — and the undertaking alone attests to Duke's vigor, and its idea of itself.

The New Yorker

It is an audacious goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an audacious undertaking" when you want to emphasize the boldness and potential risk associated with a project. It is suitable for describing endeavors that require courage and innovation.

Common error

While "audacious" adds impact, avoid overusing it in casual conversation. In informal settings, simpler words like "bold" or "daring" may be more appropriate to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an audacious undertaking" primarily functions as a noun phrase that describes a specific type of action or project. It emphasizes the bold and daring nature of the "undertaking". According to Ludwig's analysis, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an audacious undertaking" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that effectively describes a bold, daring, and often risky project. Ludwig identifies it as acceptable for use in writing and speech. While not overly common, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts. When choosing to use it, consider the formality of the setting and whether simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. This phrase conveys a sense of ambition and innovation, making it suitable for describing endeavors that require courage and vision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a daring endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", suggesting a courageous effort.

a bold venture

Substitutes "undertaking" with "venture", implying a risk-taking approach.

a courageous project

Uses "courageous" to emphasize the bravery required and "project" instead of undertaking.

an ambitious scheme

Replaces "undertaking" with "scheme", which can sometimes imply a slightly less formal or more strategic plan.

a high-stakes gamble

Focuses on the risky nature of the undertaking, using "gamble" to highlight the uncertainty.

a challenging enterprise

Highlights the difficulty of the undertaking by using the word "challenging" and replacing "undertaking" with "enterprise".

an adventurous pursuit

Emphasizes the exciting and exploratory nature of the task, using "adventurous" and "pursuit".

a groundbreaking initiative

Suggests that the undertaking is innovative and pioneering, using "groundbreaking" and "initiative".

a revolutionary plan

Implies that the undertaking aims to create fundamental change, using "revolutionary" and "plan".

a monumental task

Emphasizes the scale and significance of the undertaking, using "monumental" and "task".

FAQs

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

You can use "an audacious undertaking" to describe a project or task that requires a lot of courage, risk-taking, and innovation. For example, "Starting a business during an economic recession is "an audacious undertaking"".

What are some alternatives to "an audacious undertaking"?

You can use alternatives like "a daring endeavor", "a bold venture", or "a courageous project" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "an audacious undertaking" formal or informal?

The phrase "an audacious undertaking" leans towards formal usage. While understandable in most contexts, consider using more casual alternatives like "a bold move" in informal settings.

What makes an undertaking "audacious"?

An undertaking is considered "audacious" when it involves a significant level of risk, requires considerable courage to pursue, and often challenges conventional norms or expectations. It goes beyond being merely difficult or challenging.