cumbersome and time-consuming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome and time-consuming" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or process that is difficult and requires a lot of time to complete. For example, "The process for obtaining a visa was cumbersome and time-consuming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But the checklist can be cumbersome and time-consuming.

The New York Times

But the method is cumbersome and time-consuming.

The New Yorker

The industry has complained that both measures are too cumbersome and time-consuming.

The Washington Post

The industry has complained that both regulations are too cumbersome and time-consuming.

The Washington Post

But the industry called it too cumbersome and time-consuming and spent years calling for changes.

The Washington Post

The decision not to create an online search platform for news organisations makes the process extremely cumbersome and time-consuming.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

This structure was cumbersome and time consuming.

Harvard Business Review

"Previously, our server housed numerous software packages - and using them was cumbersome and time consuming".

The Guardian

The creation of external information extraction rules by the business analyst is a cumbersome and time consuming task.

Computers in Industry

The experimental measurements of IFT are costly, cumbersome and time consuming, especially at high pressure-high temperature conditions.

Fuel

However, these instruments either are too cumbersome and time consuming to be used or require extensive fabrication.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cumbersome and time-consuming", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific aspects of the process or task are causing the difficulty and consuming the time. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cumbersome and time-consuming" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "laborious and lengthy" or "tedious and protracted" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome and time-consuming" functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to describe a process, task, or object that is both difficult to manage or handle and requires a significant amount of time. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cumbersome and time-consuming" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe processes or tasks that are both difficult to manage and require a lot of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread. It appears frequently in scientific literature, news articles, and business contexts, indicating its versatility and relevance across various fields. While synonyms like "laborious and lengthy" or "complex and drawn-out" exist, "cumbersome and time-consuming" provides a direct and easily understood way to convey inefficiency and difficulty. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies what makes the process difficult and lengthy for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laborious and lengthy

Both adjectives are replaced by synonyms, emphasizing effort and duration.

tedious and protracted

Replaces "cumbersome" with "tedious" and "time-consuming" with "protracted", altering the tone slightly.

awkward and prolonged

Changes "cumbersome" to "awkward" and "time-consuming" to "prolonged", focusing on difficulty and extended duration.

complex and drawn-out

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "complex" and "time-consuming" with "drawn-out", indicating intricacy and length.

difficult and lengthy

Uses simpler synonyms, "difficult" for "cumbersome" and "lengthy" for "time-consuming".

complicated and extensive

Replaces "cumbersome" with "complicated" and "time-consuming" with "extensive", suggesting complexity and breadth.

unwieldy and extended

Changes "cumbersome" to "unwieldy" and "time-consuming" to "extended", highlighting difficulty in handling and duration.

inefficient and long-lasting

Replaces "cumbersome" with "inefficient" and "time-consuming" with "long-lasting", focusing on productivity and duration.

bothersome and protracted

Substitutes "cumbersome" with "bothersome" and "time-consuming" with "protracted", indicating annoyance and extended duration.

demanding and long-winded

Changes "cumbersome" to "demanding" and "time-consuming" to "long-winded", focusing on effort and length of expression.

FAQs

How can I replace "cumbersome and time-consuming" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives such as "complex and drawn-out", "difficult and lengthy", or "tedious and protracted", depending on the specific context.

What does "cumbersome and time-consuming" mean?

The phrase "cumbersome and time-consuming" describes something that is both difficult to handle or manage (cumbersome) and requires a significant amount of time to complete (time-consuming).

Is it redundant to say "cumbersome and time-consuming"?

While both words describe negative aspects, "cumbersome" focuses on the difficulty in handling or managing something, while "time-consuming" emphasizes the length of time required. The combination highlights both aspects, making it not strictly redundant.

How to use "cumbersome and time-consuming" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, use "cumbersome and time-consuming" to objectively describe processes or tasks that are inefficient or challenging. For instance, "The regulatory approval process was found to be both "cumbersome and time-consuming" hindering project timelines."