an extraordinary undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an extraordinary undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or project that is remarkable, ambitious, or requires significant effort and resources. Example: "The team embarked on an extraordinary undertaking to build a sustainable community in the heart of the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It is an extraordinary undertaking.

The Guardian

In purely technical terms, it is an extraordinary undertaking for a composer who has virtually no formal schooling.

The New York Times

This was an extraordinary undertaking, with more than 20 different variants, based on a project Frutiger had started while at college in Zurich.

The Guardian - Arts

"It's the Pistons in the greater Detroit area at the Palace; to replicate all that today would be an extraordinary undertaking," David Stern, the commissioner of the N.B.A., said.

The New York Times - Sports

The entailments of the TIGER metaphor based on the blending of the power domain and the heroism domain profile the anti-corruption campaign as an extraordinary undertaking of heroism against harmful and destructive forces.

Lingua Sinica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Now, at age 40, Mr. Benno is walking into another extraordinary undertaking dominated by an even more formidable hierarchy of powerful figures.

The New York Times - Food

"Dresden is an extraordinary museum undertaking in the context of Germany and I'm sure he will be a formidable leader for the British Museum".

The Guardian

Rarely does the History Channel, or any other splicer of yesteryear's reels, get as complete a chance to depict the soul of an extraordinary human undertaking as Gene Kranz provides in "Beyond the Moon: Failure Is Not an Option II".

The New York Times

The photobook, rather than the gallery, was the main medium for this psychic exploration and it is good to see Kikuji Kawada's extraordinary undertaking, The Map – perhaps the most intricately designed and powerfully evocative Japanese photobook ever – on display alongside his prints.

The Guardian - Arts

When work on the horse's head started after almost two years of examining the challenge from every angle, she declared: "The first hurdle was one of logistics – we have taken considerable time to measure and calculate the best approach to what will be an extraordinary and lengthy undertaking.

The Guardian - Arts

You are an ordinary person undertaking an extraordinary task.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an extraordinary undertaking" to describe projects or tasks that are not just big, but also have elements of uniqueness or exceptional challenge. This differentiates it from simply 'a large project'.

Common error

Avoid using "an extraordinary undertaking" for routine tasks or projects. This dilutes the phrase's impact and makes your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an extraordinary undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a specific task or project, often emphasizing its size, difficulty, or unique nature.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an extraordinary undertaking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a task or project of significant scale, difficulty, or uniqueness. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the phrase's infrequent usage suggests it's best reserved for situations where you truly want to emphasize the exceptional nature of the endeavor. It appears more frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. Remember to avoid overusing it in mundane situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a remarkable project

Focuses on the project aspect, highlighting its noteworthiness.

a significant endeavor

Emphasizes the importance and scale of the effort.

an exceptional feat

Highlights the skill and accomplishment involved.

a monumental task

Stresses the sheer size and difficulty of the task.

an unprecedented effort

Focuses on the novelty and lack of prior examples.

a groundbreaking initiative

Highlights the innovative and pioneering nature of the endeavor.

an ambitious enterprise

Emphasizes the scale and scope of the activity

a Herculean effort

Implies immense strength and effort are required.

a valiant attempt

Focuses on courage and determination in the face of difficulty.

a brave endeavor

Highlights the courage and risk involved in the activity.

FAQs

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

Use "an extraordinary undertaking" to describe a task or project that is remarkable, ambitious, or requires significant effort and resources. For example: "Building a sustainable community in the heart of the city was "an extraordinary undertaking"".

What can I say instead of "an extraordinary undertaking"?

You can use alternatives like "a remarkable project", "a significant endeavor", or "an exceptional feat" depending on the context.

Is "an extraordinary undertaking" formal or informal?

The phrase "an extraordinary undertaking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's more about the scale and uniqueness of the project that dictates its appropriateness.

What makes an undertaking "extraordinary"?

An undertaking becomes "extraordinary" when it goes beyond the usual or expected, requiring exceptional effort, resources, or innovation. It's something that stands out from the ordinary.