daunting undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"daunting undertaking" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means a challenging or intimidating task. Example: Climbing Mount Everest is a daunting undertaking, but many adventurous souls have successfully conquered it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The task of understanding the broader genomic effects of a complex disease, such as MD, from epigenetic profiling is a similarly daunting undertaking.

BMC Genomics

Secondly, the cooperative coding scheme is significantly different from the conventional ones implemented in commercial wireless products (e.g., IEEE 802.11), so that it demands a total redesign of physical layer hardware, which is yet another daunting undertaking.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

We understand that sometimes that can be a daunting undertaking.

Harvard University

It proved to be a formidable and daunting undertaking.

The Guardian

Commanding the stage in a one-person show is a daunting undertaking.

The New York Times

Any performance of the whole of L'Orestie, then, is a daunting undertaking.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Although daunting to undertake, a rewrite would allow the company to grow beyond the current LP's capabilities and position them for future success.

Harvard Business Review

And, as daunting an undertaking as that may be, it's our best hope for improving health-care delivery.

The New Yorker

Although excited by the thought of what's ahead, Meng said that he's also a bit daunted by his undertaking.

Princeton University

In multiparty negotiations among a large number of parties, determining each party's BATNA can be a daunting, even impossible, undertaking.

Harvard University

The task he undertook was daunting, and surely he knows that.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "daunting undertaking" when you want to convey a sense of challenge and potential difficulty without necessarily implying failure. It acknowledges the scale of the task while still suggesting it is achievable.

Common error

While effective, "daunting undertaking" can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "formidable challenge" or "complex endeavor" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "daunting undertaking" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "daunting" modifies the noun "undertaking". It describes a task or project that is considered challenging or intimidating. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "daunting undertaking" describes a task or project that appears challenging and intimidating, a notion confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically sound and commonly used, as shown by the Ludwig examples, this noun phrase effectively communicates the magnitude and potential difficulty of various endeavors. While suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, remember to use it to convey a sense of difficulty without necessarily implying failure. Alternatives like "formidable challenge" and "challenging endeavor" can help prevent overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formidable challenge

Emphasizes the difficulty and potential obstacles involved.

intimidating task

Focuses on the feeling of being overwhelmed or apprehensive.

challenging endeavor

Highlights the demanding nature and effort required.

arduous task

Stresses the difficulty and laboriousness of the task.

herculean effort

Implies a task requiring immense strength and determination.

complex operation

Highlights the intricacy and multiple elements involved.

demanding project

Focuses on the high expectations and requirements of the project.

difficult assignment

Emphasizes the level of complexity and skill needed.

tough proposition

Suggests a difficult and potentially risky venture.

major undertaking

This term implies that the task at hand is large-scale and significant in impact.

FAQs

What does "daunting undertaking" mean?

A "daunting undertaking" refers to a task or project that appears challenging, intimidating, or overwhelming due to its complexity, scale, or potential difficulties.

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

You might say, "Launching a new product during a recession is a "daunting undertaking"" or "Converting the old warehouse into apartments proved to be a "daunting undertaking"."

What are some alternatives to "daunting undertaking"?

Consider using phrases like "formidable challenge", "challenging endeavor", or "intimidating task" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "daunting undertaking" formal or informal?

"Daunting undertaking" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports, as well as in everyday conversation.