challenging tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "challenging tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe tasks that are difficult or require significant effort and skill to complete. Example: "The project consists of several challenging tasks that will test the team's problem-solving abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Faculty leaders of postdoc offices bring a special mix of attitude and skill to challenging tasks.

Science Magazine

Anomaly detection and change analysis are challenging tasks in stream data mining.

Information Sciences

Early diagnosis and prognosis are challenging tasks in the management of AD patients.

Journal of Neuroscience Methods

Understanding and managing risks in projects especially large engineering initiatives are challenging tasks.

International Journal of Project Management

Parts of the brain may sleep more soundly at night after being exercised by challenging tasks, researchers have found.

Science Magazine

Therefore, the determination of the correct coding sequence regions, and its validation, are still challenging tasks.

BMC Genomics

— to executing more challenging tasks.

The New York Times

Drawing the line between life and death is one of society's most challenging tasks.

The New York Times

Yet prognosticating is one of the most challenging tasks doctors face.

The New York Times - Health

The authority's next chief executive is likely to find challenging tasks ahead.

The New York Times

Once we help computers solve the problem of today, we move on to more challenging tasks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing responsibilities, pair "challenging tasks" with verbs that highlight the effort and skill required, such as "undertake", "execute", or "manage".

Common error

Avoid simply labeling tasks as "challenging" without explaining why they are challenging. Provide context to showcase the specific skills or resources needed to successfully complete them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "challenging tasks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "challenging" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "tasks". This phrase is used to describe assignments or duties that require significant effort, skill, or problem-solving abilities. As shown in Ludwig, it is used across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science & Research

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "challenging tasks" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe assignments that require significant effort and skill. As Ludwig confirms, it appears frequently in science, news, and business contexts. To enhance clarity, specify why the tasks are challenging. Alternatives include "difficult assignments" and "demanding duties". By following these guidelines, writers can effectively and accurately convey the nature of the tasks at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult assignments

Focuses on the difficulty aspect of the tasks.

demanding duties

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort involved.

complex endeavors

Highlights the intricate and multifaceted nature of the undertakings.

arduous undertakings

Stresses the effort and perseverance needed.

testing activities

Highlights the aspect of being a test or trial of one's abilities.

rigorous exercises

Emphasizes strictness and thoroughness involved.

formidable projects

Highlights the scale and potential difficulty.

strenuous efforts

Focuses on the energy and effort required.

taxing responsibilities

Underlines the burdensome or stressful quality.

heavy burdens

Emphasizes the weight and impact of the tasks.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "challenging tasks" in a sentence?

Use "challenging tasks" to describe assignments requiring significant effort or skill. For instance, "The project involves several "challenging tasks" that will test the team's problem-solving abilities".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "challenging tasks"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult assignments", "demanding duties", or "complex endeavors" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very challenging tasks"?

While not strictly redundant, using "very" may weaken the impact. Consider stronger alternatives like "exceptionally challenging", "particularly demanding", or simply rely on the inherent meaning of ""challenging tasks"".

What distinguishes "challenging tasks" from "difficult tasks"?

"Challenging tasks" often imply an opportunity for growth and skill development, whereas "difficult tasks" might simply refer to tasks that are hard to accomplish.