arduous task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "arduous task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is very difficult and requires a lot of effort to complete. Example: "Completing the marathon was an arduous task, but I felt a great sense of accomplishment afterward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Q Was this an arduous task?

The New York Times

It has been an arduous task.

Yale University

Transcribing Mohawk is an arduous task.

The New Yorker

Both made reading an arduous task.

The New York Times

Deciphering this "neural coding" can be an arduous task.

The Economist

"This was an arduous task, yeah," he admits.

The Guardian

And so began the arduous task of revitalizing St. Bart's.

The New York Times

Desire's most arduous task was weeding during the rainy season.

The Guardian

It is an arduous task for an actress.

The New York Times

In reality, composing a label is an arduous task.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, choosing a proper cosolvent in supercritical extraction is an arduous task.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "arduous task", ensure the context clearly illustrates the significant effort and difficulty involved. Avoid using it for simple or routine activities.

Common error

Avoid describing trivially difficult activities as an "arduous task". Reserve it for situations genuinely demanding considerable effort and persistence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "arduous task" functions as a noun phrase, where "arduous" modifies the noun "task". It describes a specific type of task characterized by its difficulty and the effort required to complete it. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "arduous task" is a widely accepted and grammatically sound expression used to describe tasks that require significant effort and persistence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. With numerous examples spanning across news, academia, and science, "arduous task" effectively communicates the demanding nature of an activity. While alternatives like "challenging undertaking" or "difficult assignment" exist, "arduous task" remains a powerful and appropriate choice when conveying the true extent of the effort involved. Remember to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations that truly warrant the description, to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking" and "arduous" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty of the project.

difficult assignment

Substitutes "arduous" with "difficult" and "task" with "assignment", highlighting the problematic nature of the work.

laborious endeavor

Replaces "task" with "endeavor" and "arduous" with "laborious", stressing the extensive effort required.

demanding activity

Uses "demanding" instead of "arduous" and "activity" instead of "task", emphasizing the high requirements of the work.

strenuous effort

Focuses on the effort expended, using "strenuous" to describe the intensity.

grueling work

Replaces "task" with "work" and "arduous" with "grueling", emphasizing the exhausting nature of the activity.

taxing job

Substitutes "arduous" with "taxing" and "task" with "job", focusing on the draining aspect of the work.

formidable challenge

Highlights the challenge aspect, using "formidable" to describe its intensity.

onerous duty

Uses "onerous" instead of "arduous" and "duty" instead of "task", stressing the burdensome aspect of the obligation.

trying experience

Replaces "task" with "experience" and "arduous" with "trying", focusing on the difficult nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "arduous task" to describe any activity that requires significant effort and persistence. For example: "Completing the research paper was an "arduous task" that took several months."

What can I say instead of "arduous task"?

You can use alternatives like "challenging undertaking", "difficult assignment", or "laborious endeavor" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "very arduous task"?

While "arduous" already implies difficulty, adding "very" isn't strictly redundant, but it can be seen as intensifying the adjective. Consider if the added emphasis is truly necessary, or if "challenging undertaking" or "difficult assignment" might be a better fit.

What's the difference between "arduous task" and "onerous task"?

"Arduous task" emphasizes the effort and difficulty required, whereas "onerous duty" highlights the burdensome nature of the task. "Onerous" suggests that the task is not only difficult but also unpleasant or unwelcome.