costly task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costly task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that requires a significant amount of resources, time, or effort, often implying that it is expensive in some way. Example: "Completing the renovation of the old building proved to be a costly task, requiring both financial investment and extensive labor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

As the cleanup proceeds, basic services will need to be restored, a multifaceted and costly task.

The New York Times

Biologically motivated simulation of large scale neural networks is a computationally costly task.

Neurocomputing

The development and selection of coatings or coating combinations is a complex and costly task.

Tribology International

The collection of origin destination data for a city is an important but often costly task.

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

Clearly, the design of appropriate drawings is a complex and costly task where automation is required.

Reference Module in Life Sciences

Identifying poor labor practices and stopping them can be a time consuming and costly task for companies.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Then comes the confusing and costly tasks of choosing the right doctors and of getting a diagnosis.

The New York Times

Case engineering is among the most complicated and costly tasks in implementing a case-based reasoning system.

Information Systems

Carrying out a properly sized and formulated cleanup process (or pre-flush) is one of the most costly tasks in wellbore preparation.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

We study optimal contracting in a team setting with moral hazard, where teammates promise to complete socially efficient but costly tasks.

Yale University

On the other hand, the installation and welding of necessary horizontal continuity plates inside the columns are both labor-consuming and costly tasks.

Construction and Building Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "costly task", ensure the context clearly indicates what makes the task costly. Is it time, money, effort, or a combination of factors? Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "costly task" as a generic descriptor. Always ensure the task genuinely warrants the description by having a significant cost associated with it. Otherwise, consider using a more neutral term like "difficult task" or "complex process".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly task" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "costly" modifies the noun "task". It describes a task characterized by significant expense or resource consumption. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costly task" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe undertakings that require substantial resources. As Ludwig AI highlights, its meaning is easily understood and widely applicable across various domains, especially in scientific, news and encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify whether the cost refers to time, money, effort, or a combination thereof, and make sure that the descriptor is warranted. Alternatives such as "expensive endeavor" or "resource-intensive operation" can provide nuanced variations of the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive endeavor

Replaces "task" with "endeavor", emphasizing the effort and ambition involved.

pricey undertaking

Uses "pricey" and "undertaking" to highlight the financial aspect and the commitment required.

resource-intensive operation

Focuses on the significant resources needed for the task, using more technical terms.

financially demanding project

Emphasizes the financial burden and frames the task as a project.

high-priced assignment

Highlights the expensive nature of the assignment.

major expense

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the significant cost involved.

unaffordable mission

Emphasizes the inability to meet the financial demands of the mission.

capital-intensive activity

Uses business terminology to describe the activity requiring a large capital investment.

investment-heavy job

Frames the job as requiring a significant investment.

economically challenging feat

Highlights the economic difficulties associated with the task and frames it as an accomplishment.

FAQs

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

You can use "costly task" to describe a task that requires significant resources, time, or money. For example, "The cleanup operation proved to be a "costly task", straining the city's budget."

What are some alternatives to "costly task"?

Alternatives include "expensive endeavor", "pricey undertaking", or "resource-intensive operation", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "costly task" or "expensive task"?

Both "costly task" and "expensive task" are acceptable, but "costly" often implies a broader range of costs beyond just money, including time and effort. "Expensive" focuses primarily on financial cost.

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

A task qualifies as a "costly task" if it requires a considerable investment of resources, such as money, time, labor, or expertise. The cost should be substantial enough to be a significant factor.