courageous undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "courageous undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that requires bravery or boldness to pursue. Example: "Starting a new business in a competitive market is a courageous undertaking that not everyone is willing to attempt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This was completed in 1970 without interrupting surface traffic and without underpinning the many old masonry buildings above (including the historic National Opera Building), a truly courageous undertaking made possible by surrounding the chamber with a pregrouted zone to seal out water and to precement the overlying sand and gravel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The project is an impressive and courageous undertaking as it proceeded without government permission.

Vice

It is such a courageous undertaking in countries where there is still considerable stigma about the disease.

Unicef

This is a courageous undertaking, because the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) differs between mouse and man and, therefore, any MHC-dependent autoimmune response may also differ.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Sahar Gul centre is just one of the courageous endeavours undertaken by Young Women for Change.

The Guardian

Ambitious and courageous, Osman undertook a military campaign against Poland, which had interfered in the Ottoman vassal principalities of Moldavia and Walachia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last week, he remembered that in the midst of his battle to bring the case to court he was introduced to President Bill Clinton, who told him he was courageous to undertake the fight.

The New York Times

Robert Anholt, a specialist in behavior and genetics in fruit flies at North Carolina State University, said it was "courageous to undertake this particular work" for Dr. Hoekstra because of the great difficulty of dealing with complicated behavior, and that the approach was innovative and pushed forward what was possible in behavioral genetics.

The New York Times - Science

For those do-gooders who constantly show you up and who have chosen to undertake courageous aid work where electricity is hard to come by and modesty is a must, send them a bikini or an iPod.

WikiHow

"It's important for people not to lose sight of the fact that a hunger strike is an extremely courageous, but also risky undertaking," Kassem said.

Huffington Post

The host of Sweet Genius and master pastry chef told me I was courageous! "You are, indeed, a courageous person to undertake making your friend's wedding cake," admits Ben-Israel.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "courageous undertaking" to describe projects or tasks that not only require bravery but also significant commitment and effort. It is particularly effective when highlighting the potential for overcoming substantial obstacles.

Common error

Avoid using "courageous undertaking" for everyday tasks or projects that don't genuinely require a high degree of bravery or risk. This can dilute the phrase's impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "courageous undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "courageous" modifies the noun "undertaking". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, describing a specific activity or project that requires bravery and resolve, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

20%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "courageous undertaking" is a phrase used to describe a task or project that demands bravery and commitment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Formal & Business contexts. While relatively rare, its impact lies in emphasizing the boldness and potential difficulties involved. When writing, be sure to reserve this phrase for endeavors that genuinely warrant such a description to avoid diluting its meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brave endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", maintaining a similar sense of purpose but implying a sustained effort.

audacious project

Substitutes "courageous" with "audacious", suggesting boldness and a willingness to take risks, and "undertaking" with "project", indicating a planned activity.

daring feat

Replaces "undertaking" with "feat", highlighting the accomplishment aspect of the task, implying skill and bravery.

bold venture

Uses "bold" instead of "courageous", emphasizing risk-taking, and "venture" in place of "undertaking", implying a potentially profitable but uncertain activity.

heroic initiative

Replaces "courageous" with "heroic", implying a greater degree of selflessness and risk, and "undertaking" with "initiative", suggesting a first step or plan.

intrepid enterprise

Substitutes both "courageous" and "undertaking" with synonyms suggesting a more ambitious and complex endeavor.

valiant effort

Replaces "courageous" with "valiant", which is often used to describe a brave struggle or attempt, and "undertaking" with "effort", indicating expended energy.

spirited campaign

Changes "courageous" to "spirited", suggesting enthusiasm and energy, and "undertaking" to "campaign", indicating a planned set of activities.

fearless pursuit

Replaces "courageous" with "fearless", highlighting the absence of fear, and "undertaking" with "pursuit", implying a determined effort to achieve something.

adventurous quest

Substitutes "undertaking" with "quest", indicating a long or difficult search or journey, and "courageous" with "adventurous" that implies it is also an exciting and remarkable experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "courageous undertaking" to describe any task or project that requires bravery, boldness, and a willingness to face significant challenges. For example, "Starting a non-profit organization to address a social problem is often a "courageous undertaking"".

What are some alternatives to "courageous undertaking"?

Some alternatives include "brave endeavor", "audacious project", "bold venture", and "heroic initiative". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "courageous undertaking" formal or informal?

"Courageous undertaking" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally more appropriate for formal or professional writing where you want to emphasize the bravery and commitment involved in a particular endeavor.

What makes an undertaking "courageous"?

An undertaking is considered "courageous" when it involves significant risk, requires overcoming substantial obstacles, and demands bravery or boldness from those involved. It often implies facing potential failure or negative consequences with resilience and determination.