colossal task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "colossal task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is extremely large, difficult, or overwhelming in nature. Example: "Completing the project on time was a colossal task, requiring the efforts of the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It's a colossal task.

The Guardian

It will be a colossal task, enlisting science, engineering, technology, regulation, legislation, and persuasion.

The New Yorker

Yet, that said, Eddie Howe faces a colossal task in restoring confidence after successive 5-1 drubbings.

The Guardian - Sport

GP commissioning hands over responsibility to family doctors, who would be criticised if they mismanage their colossal task.

The Guardian

The scale of loss was huge, and it was a colossal task for governments and aid agencies.

The Guardian

Even if he pulls through this latest saga with his job intact, Mr Messier has nobody to blame for the colossal task he faces but himself.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The music is a colossal enough task in itself, without these considerations".

The Guardian - Music

"It's a colossal and herculean task," he said.

The New York Times

The previous, Labour government enriched it, while charging it with colossal but vague tasks such as "sustaining citizenship and civil society".

The Economist

"The task is colossal," Mr. Harding conceded.

The New York Times

The right whale, in its private space, was a shining destination, the "after" in a colossal before-and-after task.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "colossal task", ensure the context clearly reflects a task of significant scale and difficulty to justify the strong adjective. Consider the audience and purpose to assess if a less emphatic synonym would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "colossal task" to describe everyday activities or tasks of moderate difficulty. Using it inappropriately can diminish the impact of the phrase and appear hyperbolic. Instead, reserve it for genuinely significant and demanding undertakings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "colossal task" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "colossal" modifies the noun "task". It describes a task that is exceptionally large, difficult, or significant. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, with examples from diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "colossal task" effectively describes a significantly large and challenging undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to reserve this phrase for genuinely substantial endeavors to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "monumental task" or "immense undertaking" for nuanced expression. Using "colossal task" wisely ensures your message conveys the true magnitude of the challenge at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monumental task

Replaces "colossal" with "monumental", emphasizing the lasting significance of the task.

immense undertaking

Substitutes both words, focusing on the scale of the undertaking.

Herculean effort

Implies the task requires extraordinary strength and effort, similar to the labors of Hercules.

formidable challenge

Shifts the focus to the challenging nature of the task.

massive endeavor

Replaces task with a synonym, endeavor, while maintaining the sense of great size.

giant undertaking

Synonymous replacement, emphasizing the sheer size of the task.

huge responsibility

Focuses on the weight and importance of the task.

significant project

Emphasizes the importance and scale of the project.

major undertaking

A more common and slightly less emphatic way of describing a large task.

tremendous job

Highlights the size and potential impact of the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "colossal task" to describe a project or undertaking that is extremely large, difficult, or overwhelming. For example: "Rebuilding the city after the earthquake was a "colossal task".".

What are some alternatives to "colossal task"?

Alternatives to "colossal task" include "monumental task", "immense undertaking", "formidable challenge", or "massive endeavor". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "colossal task" formal or informal?

"Colossal task" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate for formal writing or speech due to the intensity of the adjective "colossal".

What makes a task qualify as a "colossal task"?

A task qualifies as a "colossal task" if it requires significant resources, time, and effort, and presents considerable challenges. The scale and complexity of the task should be notably larger than typical undertakings.