arduous quest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arduous quest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a challenging or difficult journey or task, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The adventurers embarked on an arduous quest to find the lost city of gold, facing numerous obstacles along the way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

In this respect his story is less an "Iliad" than an "Odyssey," or perhaps, as his name suggests, an "Argonautica" — an arduous quest for a talismanic golden fleece.

The New York Times - Books

The arduous quest from their Port-au-Prince home ended in relief last weekend at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

The New York Times

But now, because of Mr. Laman's arduous quest, you can see them in very easy-to-find trees: in Charlottesville, Va.

The New York Times

Last year, she wrote in her blog about the arduous quest for a suitable dress, which she called "Operation Hot and Holy".

The New York Times

Grossman evokes teen-age nobility and self-hatred in all its pimply particularity, while slyly suggesting that the arduous quest for connections should never be outgrown.

The New Yorker

That was the time, in the prehistory of about 1995, when our ideas of "search" still carried the sense of the word's Latin roots – a search was a kind of "arduous quest" that invariably involved "wandering" and "seeking" and "traversing".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

— Patrick Farrell Travel + Leisure: Adam Sachs undertakes an arduous alpine quest to track down the best cheese in France.

The New York Times

So Kurtzig did what any of us would do and jumped on Google to begin his arduous, troubling quest for precise info and answers to very finite, specific questions about having a baby.

Huffington Post

We will be released from the arduous, embarrassing, and ultimately tragic quest of human mating as we know it today, for the robots will breed us selectively.

The Guardian - Opinion

In "Vanitystarts@home," Mr. Wilson, sitting on the floor, pushed himself laboriously forward with his arms, as if undergoing an arduous ordeal on a spiritual quest.

The New York Times - Arts

But as the industry extends its reach, the quest is becoming more arduous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arduous quest", ensure the context clearly establishes the challenging and lengthy nature of the undertaking. This emphasizes the significance of the effort involved.

Common error

Avoid using "arduous quest" to describe everyday tasks or easily achievable goals. Overusing the phrase in such contexts diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arduous quest" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "arduous" modifies the noun "quest". The phrase typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence, describing a difficult and challenging undertaking. As Ludwig highlights, its usage is correct and appropriate.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "arduous quest" is a commonly used phrase that correctly describes a challenging and difficult journey or undertaking. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While "arduous quest" is prevalent in various sources, it's crucial to use it appropriately and avoid overuse in overly simplistic contexts. Consider alternatives like "challenging undertaking" or "strenuous journey" to maintain writing impact. Ludwig also shows a lot of examples, meaning that the semantic context is quite varied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding endeavor

Replaces "quest" with "endeavor" and "arduous" with "demanding", emphasizing the effort required.

strenuous journey

Focuses on the physical demands of the journey, using "strenuous" to emphasize the effort required.

challenging undertaking

Substitutes both words with synonyms that highlight the difficulty and scope of the task.

formidable expedition

Uses "expedition" to replace "quest", suggesting a more organized journey, and "formidable" in place of "arduous", underscoring the challenge.

grueling mission

Replaces "quest" with "mission", implying a specific goal, and "arduous" with "grueling", highlighting the exhausting nature.

laborious undertaking

Highlights the hard work involved, with "laborious" emphasizing the manual effort.

difficult pilgrimage

Employs "pilgrimage" instead of "quest", suggesting a journey with a higher purpose, while maintaining the sense of difficulty.

taxing pursuit

Uses "pursuit" to suggest an active chase and "taxing" instead of "arduous", indicating a drain on resources or energy.

testing ordeal

Uses "ordeal" to indicate a severe or trying experience, shifting the focus to the hardship involved in the quest.

heroic effort

Moves from the idea of a quest to the effort required, emphasizing the scale and significance of the attempt.

FAQs

How can I use "arduous quest" in a sentence?

You can use "arduous quest" to describe a difficult and prolonged journey or undertaking. For example, "The climbers embarked on an "arduous quest" to reach the summit of Mount Everest".

What are some alternatives to "arduous quest"?

Some alternatives include "challenging undertaking", "difficult mission", or "strenuous journey". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "arduous quest" formal or informal?

"Arduous quest" is generally considered formal but is acceptable across various contexts. However, make sure that your language does not sound awkward.

What makes a quest "arduous"?

An "arduous" quest involves significant difficulty, effort, and persistence. It suggests facing numerous obstacles and challenges over an extended period.