an enormous task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an enormous task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task that is very large, difficult, or requires significant effort to complete. Example: "Completing the project on time was an enormous task, but the team managed to pull it off successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is an enormous task.

The Guardian

That's an enormous task for one person".

The New York Times

"But it would be a big task — an enormous task".

The New Yorker

Deciphering them is an enormous task, said one investigator.

The New York Times

"It's an enormous task, but every little bit helps".

The New York Times

"But it is an enormous task," he said.

The New York Times

It all seems an enormous task for a frail 59-year-old.

The Economist

Obviously, to make such a machine is an enormous task, perhaps an impossible one.

The New Yorker

When viewed that way, crafting a better "we" is an enormous task.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tackling tax evasion would be an enormous task and would take years to accomplish.

The New York Times

"It was an enormous task, involving about 100 people," Mr. Hvorostovsky said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an enormous task" to clearly convey the substantial effort, scale, or difficulty associated with a particular undertaking. This phrase is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from describing business projects to scientific endeavors.

Common error

Avoid using "enormous" multiple times in the same paragraph. Vary your language by using synonyms like "substantial", "significant", or "considerable" to maintain reader engagement and avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an enormous task" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "enormous" modifies the noun "task". It typically serves as the subject complement or object in a sentence, describing the nature or scope of an activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an enormous task" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a particularly large, difficult, or complex undertaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and business. While alternatives exist, "an enormous task" clearly and effectively conveys the substantial nature of the endeavor. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential redundancy and consider varying your language with synonyms to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a herculean task

Similar to "a herculean effort", emphasizing the immense effort required.

a monumental undertaking

Replaces "enormous task" with "monumental undertaking", emphasizing the scale and significance of the task.

a major undertaking

Similar to "significant undertaking" but emphasizes the scale and scope of the task.

a massive endeavor

Uses "massive endeavor" instead of "enormous task" to underscore the scale and ambition of the undertaking.

a significant undertaking

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the task, rather than just its size.

a formidable challenge

Highlights the difficulty and potential obstacles of the task.

a considerable challenge

Substitutes "enormous task" with "considerable challenge", focusing on the difficulty involved.

a tremendous job

Replaces "task" with "job", focusing on the work involved and its large scale.

a Herculean effort

Replaces "enormous task" with a reference to the mythological hero Hercules, highlighting the immense strength and effort required.

a taxing assignment

Focuses on the demanding and exhausting nature of the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "an enormous task" to describe something that requires a great deal of effort or resources. For example: "Completing the merger was "an enormous task", requiring months of planning and coordination."

What are some alternatives to "an enormous task"?

Some alternatives to "an enormous task" include "a monumental undertaking", "a significant challenge", or "a formidable endeavor". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a enormous task" instead of "an enormous task"?

No, it is not correct. The article "an" is used before words that begin with a vowel sound. Since "enormous" begins with a vowel sound, the correct article is "an", not "a".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an enormous task"?

The phrase "an enormous task" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the size, difficulty, or complexity of a task. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as shown by Ludwig AI.