formidable tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formidable tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe tasks that are challenging, difficult, or require significant effort to accomplish. Example: "The team was faced with several formidable tasks that required careful planning and collaboration to complete successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Both men face formidable tasks.

The New York Times

BP has formidable tasks ahead and needs a leadership team that can meet the challenges.

The Guardian - Business

It is soon clear that Farah's heroine is equal to the formidable tasks she has set herself.

The New York Times - Books

One of the challenger's most formidable tasks is to prevent the Corbyn camp from defining this as a battle between "MPs" versus "Members", "Westminster" versus "The People".

The Guardian - Opinion

Greece's new leaders face the formidable tasks of trying to slash public spending and restore growth as the economy is in its fifth year of a grinding recession.

The New York Times

A year into Mr Kirchner's term, polls suggest that some 70% of Argentines approve of him.Just as well, because he and his country face formidable tasks.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It's a formidable task, formidably (and entertainingly) accomplished.

The Guardian - Books

A formidable task.

The New York Times - Food

It's a formidable task.

The New York Times

Catching McIlroy will be a formidable task.

The New York Times - Sports

Understanding proboscidean evolution: A formidable task.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "formidable tasks", ensure the context clearly establishes the challenging nature of the tasks being described. This provides clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "formidable tasks" in casual or informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate. Using it too often can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formidable tasks" functions as a noun phrase, where 'formidable' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'tasks'. Ludwig AI confirms that it is often used to describe duties that are challenging or require significant effort.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formidable tasks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe tasks that present significant challenges. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While perfectly correct, avoid to overuse it in informal setting. Alternatives such as ""daunting challenges"" or "arduous undertakings" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. This phrase effectively communicates the need for considerable effort and skill.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

daunting challenges

Replaces 'tasks' with 'challenges', slightly altering the connotation to emphasize the adversarial nature of the difficulties.

arduous undertakings

Substitutes 'formidable' with 'arduous' and 'tasks' with 'undertakings', increasing the formality and highlighting the effort required.

challenging assignments

Replaces 'formidable' with 'challenging' and 'tasks' with 'assignments', making the phrase more suitable for professional or academic contexts.

difficult endeavors

Replaces 'formidable' with 'difficult' and 'tasks' with 'endeavors', retaining a similar meaning but with a more general tone.

onerous duties

Substitutes 'formidable' with 'onerous' and 'tasks' with 'duties', emphasizing the burdensome nature of the responsibilities.

complex projects

Replaces 'formidable' with 'complex' and 'tasks' with 'projects', focusing on the intricate nature of the work.

demanding responsibilities

Substitutes 'formidable' with 'demanding' and 'tasks' with 'responsibilities', emphasizing the high expectations and effort required.

strenuous efforts

Replaces the entire phrase to focus on the intensity of the effort needed.

Herculean labors

Uses a mythological allusion to emphasize the immense scale and difficulty of the work.

significant hurdles

Shifts the focus to the obstacles that must be overcome, rather than the tasks themselves.

FAQs

How can I use "formidable tasks" in a sentence?

You can use "formidable tasks" to describe duties or projects that are challenging and require significant effort. For example, "The new CEO faced "daunting challenges" in restructuring the company".

What are some alternatives to "formidable tasks"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""daunting challenges"", "arduous undertakings", or "challenging assignments", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "formidable tasks" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "formidable tasks" is generally better suited for formal or professional writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "difficult tasks" or "tough jobs" may be more appropriate.

What makes a task "formidable"?

A task is considered "formidable" when it presents significant challenges due to its complexity, scale, or the resources required to complete it successfully. It implies that the task demands considerable effort, skill, and determination.