costly undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "costly undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a project or task that requires significant financial investment or resources. Example: "The construction of the new bridge was a costly undertaking that required careful planning and budgeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

But a successful smuggling ring can be a costly undertaking.

The Economist

But starting a Saturday paper could be a complex and costly undertaking.

The New York Times

The campaign was a large and costly undertaking, conducted intermittently throughout the 15th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Developing the greenfield deposits and building the pipeline needed for the deal will be a colossal and costly undertaking.

The Guardian

Moving tens of thousands of troops and their heavy equipment home from the Persian Gulf region is a costly undertaking.

The New York Times

Getting them together, and persuading them all to agree on a settlement, can be a monumental and very costly undertaking.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The startup doesn't plan to slow down with its scaling any time soon, so better to begin rolling out the new terminals before it becomes a bigger, costlier undertaking.

TechCrunch

Such comments provided new ammunition to Republicans already worried about the costly commitments undertaken by the federal government to stave off an economic collapse.

The New York Times - Health

They say that such a measure would hurt small businesses that are already reeling from the recession, and undermine the costly efforts undertaken by some of them to comply with local antismoking laws.

The New York Times

Tenements built in the 1860's to the early 1900's were boarded up in the mid-1930's when owners felt new requirements for renovations to bring in more light and air too costly to undertake during the Depression.

The New York Times

The most extensive and costly program undertaken by George L. Ball since he became chairman of Prudential-Bache Sendedtins has ended in failure, renewing questions on Wall Street about Mr. Ball's future with the firm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "costly undertaking", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the undertaking expensive. Providing specific details or examples will enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "costly undertaking" as a generic descriptor. If the cost is not a significant or defining factor, a simpler term like "project" or "task" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "costly undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "costly" modifies the noun "undertaking". It describes a project or endeavor that requires significant financial investment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "costly undertaking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe projects requiring significant financial resources. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, it carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the reasons for the high cost. Alternatives like "expensive venture" or "financially demanding task" can be used to subtly alter the emphasis. Remember to avoid generic usage and provide specific details to maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expensive venture

Replaces 'undertaking' with 'venture', emphasizing the risk and potential reward aspect, though maintaining the sense of high cost.

high-priced project

Substitutes 'costly' with 'high-priced' and 'undertaking' with 'project', focusing on the monetary aspect of a planned activity.

financially demanding task

Highlights the financial burden associated with the task, replacing 'costly' with 'financially demanding'.

resource-intensive operation

Focuses on the broader resource usage rather than just financial cost, replacing 'costly' with 'resource-intensive' and 'undertaking' with 'operation'.

substantial investment

Emphasizes the significant amount of capital required, shifting the perspective to the act of investing.

major expenditure

Highlights the spending aspect of the undertaking, simplifying the phrase to emphasize the financial output.

capital-intensive activity

Specifies that the activity requires a large amount of capital, making it more technical.

considerable expense

Replaces 'undertaking' with 'expense', directly addressing the costliness of something.

cost prohibitive endeavor

Implies the cost is so high it may prevent the activity from happening, increasing the intensity of the cost.

lavish enterprise

Suggests the undertaking involves excessive spending, adding a connotation of extravagance.

FAQs

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

You can use "costly undertaking" to describe projects that require significant financial resources. For example: "Building a new subway system is a "costly undertaking"."

What are some alternatives to "costly undertaking"?

Alternatives include "expensive venture", "high-priced project", or "financially demanding task", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "costly undertaking" formal or informal?

"Costly undertaking" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase suitable for professional, news, and academic contexts. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in very informal settings.

What makes an undertaking considered "costly"?

An undertaking is considered "costly" when it requires a large amount of financial resources relative to other similar activities, or when the expenses involved are a significant factor in decision-making.