difficult undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

'difficult undertaking' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a difficult task or project. For example, "This research project has been a difficult undertaking, but I think I am finally making progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's an incredibly difficult undertaking".

The New York Times

Succeeding him is a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

Succeeding Mr. McQueen is a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

This is a delicate and difficult undertaking, for obvious reasons.

The Guardian - Books

Getting there, however, proved a crushingly difficult undertaking.

The New York Times - Books

Despite its warm reception in Indonesia, getting the book to American readers was a difficult undertaking.

The New Yorker

"But in the current sociopolitical environment, it's a very difficult undertaking".

The New York Times

But finding a pair of jeans that fits right is a slightly more difficult undertaking.

The New York Times - Tech

But comparing two teams in any sport from different eras is a difficult undertaking.

The Guardian - Sport

The steroid discussion aside, Mauresmo has always made tennis a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times - Sports

Among other things, this extremely difficult undertaking would involve full disclosure of Assad's chemical arsenal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using "difficult undertaking". While widely understood, more specific terms might be appropriate depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "difficult undertaking" too frequently in the same document. Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms like "challenging endeavor" or "arduous task" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult undertaking" functions as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It typically describes an activity that demands considerable effort and skill. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult undertaking" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe tasks that require substantial effort and skill. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. While various alternatives like "challenging endeavor" or "arduous task" can be used, "difficult undertaking" provides a clear and widely understood way to communicate the complexity of a task. Therefore, it's advisable to use the expression carefully to enrich vocabulary and avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", emphasizing effort and ambition.

arduous task

Substitutes "difficult" with "arduous", highlighting the strenuous nature of the task.

complex mission

Uses "complex" instead of "difficult" and "mission" instead of "undertaking", suggesting intricacy and purpose.

formidable challenge

Replaces "difficult undertaking" with "formidable challenge", stressing the intimidating aspect.

demanding project

Emphasizes the high requirements and effort needed, using "demanding" and "project".

laborious effort

Highlights the effort and hard work involved, focusing on physical or mental exertion.

tough assignment

Uses more informal terms like "tough" and "assignment" to convey difficulty.

grueling process

Focuses on the exhausting and protracted nature of the activity, using "grueling" and "process".

herculean task

Emphasizes the immensity and extraordinary effort required, drawing a comparison to the mythical hero Hercules.

no easy feat

Expresses the difficulty by stating that it is not easily achieved.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult undertaking" to describe a task or project that requires significant effort and resources. For example, "Completing this research was a "difficult undertaking", but the results were rewarding".

What are some alternatives to "difficult undertaking"?

Alternatives to "difficult undertaking" include phrases like "challenging endeavor", "arduous task", or "complex mission" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "difficult undertaking" or "challenging undertaking"?

Both "difficult undertaking" and "challenging undertaking" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to express. "Difficult undertaking" emphasizes the effort, while "challenging undertaking" highlights the stimulating and demanding nature of the task.

What makes something a "difficult undertaking"?

A "difficult undertaking" is characterized by requiring substantial effort, skill, and resources to achieve success. It often involves overcoming obstacles and complexities. This might be because the goal itself is complicated, or because of external factors like lack of resources or time.