an expensive undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an expensive undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a project or task that requires a significant financial investment. Example: "Building a new hospital is an expensive undertaking that requires careful planning and budgeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is, surprisingly, not an expensive undertaking.

The New York Times

It has been an expensive undertaking.

The New York Times

As you can imagine, this is an expensive undertaking.

The New York Times

INVESTING in renewable energy remains an expensive undertaking.

The Economist

Building such submarine cables is an expensive undertaking.

The New York Times

It is an expensive undertaking to move a President.

The New York Times

He would not specify a budget but said, "Obviously, it's going to be an expensive undertaking".

The New York Times

Finding and then persuading people to take a look is an expensive undertaking.

The New York Times - Travel

State and city officials say courthouse construction is an expensive undertaking, but well worthwhile.

The New York Times

This view, he said, made hedging "an expensive undertaking at the time".

The New York Times

Mohamad is married – an expensive undertaking that most young Syrians can't afford in this environment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an expensive undertaking", ensure the context clearly establishes what specific project or task is being referenced. Providing details about the undertaking helps to clarify the scope and potential impact of the expense.

Common error

Avoid using "an expensive undertaking" as a vague generality. Always specify the undertaking being referred to. For example, instead of saying "That's an expensive undertaking", specify "Implementing the new software system is an expensive undertaking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an expensive undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "expensive" is an adjective modifying the noun "undertaking". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. This phrase typically acts as a subject complement or object, describing something that requires substantial financial resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an expensive undertaking" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe projects or tasks requiring significant financial investment. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, but it is most frequently found in News & Media. When using the phrase, be sure to provide clear context about the specific undertaking to avoid vagueness. While alternatives like "a costly venture" or "a high-priced project" exist, "an expensive undertaking" maintains a professional and informative tone, making it a versatile choice for many writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a costly venture

Replaces "undertaking" with "venture", emphasizing the risk and potential reward associated with the expensive activity.

a high-priced project

Substitutes "expensive" with "high-priced" and "undertaking" with "project", focusing on the financial aspect of the task.

a financially demanding endeavor

Replaces "expensive" with "financially demanding" and "undertaking" with "endeavor", highlighting the significant financial commitment required.

a capital-intensive activity

Uses "capital-intensive" to describe the activity, emphasizing the large amount of capital investment needed.

a resource-heavy operation

Focuses on the extensive resources required, not just financial, making it a broader description.

a large financial commitment

Highlights the significant financial obligation involved, simplifying the original phrase.

a major investment

Emphasizes the investment aspect, implying a long-term financial outlay.

a considerable expense

Focuses solely on the expense, omitting the implication of a project or task.

a lavish enterprise

Suggests extravagance and luxury, adding a connotation not present in the original phrase.

a premium endeavor

Implies high quality and exclusivity, shifting the focus from cost to value.

FAQs

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

You can use "an expensive undertaking" to describe a project or activity that requires a significant financial investment. For example: "Building a new subway line is "an expensive undertaking" that demands careful planning and substantial funding".

What are some alternatives to saying "an expensive undertaking"?

Alternatives include "a costly venture", "a high-priced project", or "a financially demanding endeavor", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "an expensive undertaking" or "a costly project"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "an expensive undertaking" may imply a more complex and long-term activity than "a costly project". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "an expensive undertaking" and "a risky venture"?

"An expensive undertaking" focuses on the financial cost, while "a risky venture" emphasizes the potential for failure or loss. While an undertaking might be both, the phrases highlight different aspects.