an intimidating task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an intimidating task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that feels daunting or overwhelming to someone. Example: "Preparing for the final exam felt like an intimidating task, especially with so much material to cover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Even so, finding the tiny, troublemaking genetic glitches in the family's genes is an intimidating task.

The New York Times - Health

It was an intimidating task (each of them covered thousands of pages with calculations), but they eventually came up with almost identical answers.

The Economist

Design of modern mechatronic systems can be an intimidating task.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

And sure, it might sound like an intimidating task.

Huffington Post

Ms. Mitchell makes mini-presentations at the weekly junior class meetings, focusing first on how to research a college, an intimidating task given the seemingly endless choices.

The New York Times

In Pearl Harbor, the wizards at Industrial Light & Magic faced an intimidating task: turning this still photo of a piece of ocean into the recreation of a historic battle.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

To show the world in a single grain of sand -- not just once, but repeatedly -- is an exacting, intimidating task.

The New York Times - Books

So it’s an intimidating project.

Forbes

She had the exciting but "super intimidating" task of penning an adventure for the Twelfth Doctor who, when she wrote it over the summer, had yet to appear on our screens.

The Guardian

Fixed mindset refers to the fear of failure and apprehension towards intimidating tasks that results from repeatedly being praised for one's intelligence.

Huffington Post

In my middle school and early high school years, if a boy wanted to talk to you, he had to dial your number and prepare himself for the often-intimidating task of talking to someone other than you.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an intimidating task" when you want to convey that something is not only difficult but also causes a feeling of apprehension or fear.

Common error

While "an intimidating task" is appropriate for conveying a sense of challenge and fear, avoid using "intimidating" in contexts where 'challenging' or 'difficult' would suffice. Overusing "intimidating" can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an intimidating task" functions as a noun phrase, where 'intimidating' modifies 'task'. Ludwig AI confirms it describes something difficult and causing apprehension. This phrase often serves as a subject or object within a sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an intimidating task" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something difficult that also causes fear or apprehension. Ludwig AI indicates that while the phrase appears in diverse contexts like news, science, and wiki articles, it is essential to use it when you specifically want to emphasize the sense of unease along with the challenge. If you simply want to convey difficulty, then "challenging" or "difficult" task might be more appropriate. Several alternatives exist, such as ""a daunting challenge"" or ""a formidable undertaking"", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a daunting challenge

Swaps "intimidating task" for a similar expression using 'daunting' and 'challenge'.

a formidable undertaking

Replaces "intimidating task" with a stronger term suggesting significant effort or resistance.

a scary prospect

Conveys the feeling of fear associated with the task making it 'scary'.

an overwhelming responsibility

Focuses on the weight and potential stress of the task.

a tough assignment

Uses more common words to describe a difficult job or duty.

a Herculean effort

Implies that the task requires immense strength and effort.

a tall order

A more informal way to describe a difficult request or task.

a complex endeavor

Emphasizes the complicated nature of the task.

a major undertaking

Highlights the significance and scale of the task.

a stressful activity

Focuses on the stress and anxiety potentially associated with the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "an intimidating task" to describe any activity or goal that seems daunting or overwhelming. For example: "Learning a new programming language can be "an intimidating task" at first."

What are some alternatives to saying "an intimidating task"?

Some alternatives include "a daunting challenge", "a formidable undertaking", or "a scary prospect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "an intimidating task" or "a challenging task"?

While both phrases describe something difficult, "an intimidating task" suggests a stronger sense of fear or apprehension than "a challenging task". Use "an intimidating task" when the difficulty is causing significant anxiety or stress.

Can "an intimidating task" be used to describe a person?

No, "an intimidating task" refers to a specific activity or goal. To describe a person who causes fear or apprehension, you would use phrases like "an intimidating person" or "a formidable presence".