an onerous task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an onerous task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to a laborious, difficult, and sometimes unpleasant task. For example: Mary was tasked with an onerous job of proofreading the entire document in one night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It seems an onerous task.

The Guardian - Opinion

TAX-PREPARATION software usually makes an onerous task easier.

The New York Times

Protecting Mr. Mandela's image has always been an onerous task.

The New York Times

Starting from scratch is an onerous task, even for experienced hands.

The Guardian

But New York's real estate market makes this an onerous task.

The New York Times

Chelsea will draw on that spirit for the return but theirs feels an onerous task.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

To take care of a patient with dementia is an extremely onerous task.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

The next aim is to break into the top half of the table, but it will be important for the new owner and an increasingly divided fanbase hoping for a quick shoot up the table to realise that is an increasingly onerous task because of the recent ground made up by other mid-table sides.

The Guardian - Sport

In some respects, the Bush administration looked on the G-8 -- both the foreign ministers' meeting and the grander event in Genoa -- as one more diplomatic chore, a more onerous task than a useful thrashing-out of burning economic issues, the original agenda nearly three decades ago when the meetings began with a smaller group.

The New York Times

It is usually sliced into chops, so sometimes the only option is to buy the thickest shoulder chops you can find and cut them up yourself, not an especially onerous task.

The New York Times - Food

Demand for grocery deliveries in China is driven not only by concern about food safety issues, but also by the fact that consumers living in major cities often don't own cars or have to deal with heavy traffic, making weekly shopping trips an extremely onerous task.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an onerous task", ensure the context clearly indicates why the task is burdensome. Providing specific details about the challenges involved can enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation of the effort required.

Common error

Avoid using "an onerous task" when the activity is merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. Reserve it for situations involving significant effort, complexity, or unpleasantness, to maintain credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an onerous task" functions as a noun phrase that serves as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes a specific kind of task, highlighting its difficulty or demanding nature. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for describing tasks that are laborious and difficult.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an onerous task" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe a difficult or burdensome activity. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for various contexts. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science sources, indicating its acceptance in both formal and semi-formal writing. While alternatives exist, such as "a challenging endeavor" or "a burdensome undertaking", "an onerous task" effectively conveys the weight and difficulty associated with the described activity. When employing this phrase, ensure the context justifies its use by highlighting specific challenges and complexities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a burdensome undertaking

Substitutes 'onerous' with 'burdensome' and 'task' with 'undertaking', maintaining similar intensity and formality.

a difficult responsibility

Replaces 'onerous' with 'difficult' and 'task' with 'responsibility', highlighting the obligation aspect.

a taxing obligation

Changes 'onerous' to 'taxing' and 'task' to 'obligation', emphasizing the strain or burden.

a challenging endeavor

Replaces 'onerous' with 'challenging' and 'task' with 'endeavor', softening the negative connotation slightly.

a demanding assignment

Replaces 'onerous' with 'demanding' and 'task' with 'assignment', shifting the context towards work or duties.

a formidable challenge

Substitutes with 'formidable challenge', highlighting the scale and difficulty of the task.

a laborious activity

Changes 'onerous' to 'laborious' and 'task' to 'activity', emphasizing the effort required.

a grueling chore

Replaces 'onerous' with 'grueling' and 'task' with 'chore', suggesting a tedious and unpleasant duty.

an exhausting project

Substitutes 'onerous' with 'exhausting' and 'task' with 'project', focusing on the draining nature of the work.

a herculean effort

Replaces the whole phrase with 'a herculean effort', indicating a task requiring immense strength and effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "an onerous task" to describe a job or duty that is difficult and burdensome. For example: "Completing the year-end reports was "an onerous task" that required many late nights."

What are some alternatives to "an onerous task"?

Alternatives include "a challenging endeavor", "a burdensome undertaking", or "a demanding assignment". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an onerous task" in formal writing?

Yes, "an onerous task" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a difficult or burdensome task.

What makes a task "onerous"?

A task is considered "onerous" if it involves a significant amount of effort, complexity, or unpleasantness. It implies a burden or strain on the person performing it.