inconsiderable task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inconsiderable task" is not commonly used in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be interpreted as a task that is not significant or important, but it is more common to use "insignificant" or "trivial" in this context. Example: "Although it seemed like an inconsiderable task, it actually required a lot of effort to complete."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

After a three-hour rain delay, she set about the not inconsiderable task of taming the thundering ground strokes of Kuznetsova; outweighed but not outgunned, she won 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 19 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

Charged with the not inconsiderable task of righting a long list of opening-day wrongs by becoming the first team to beat Saracens in a regular-season game on the artificial turf at Allianz Park, the West Countrymen were full of bristling intent for the first minute - and spent the next 79 minutes paying for their pumped-uppedness.

Independent

Sharon Kemp's move from Manchester city council to become chief executive at Rotherham next March, to face the not inconsiderable task of normalising administration after commissioners moved in, suggests that the city's extraordinarily successful duumvirate, Sir Richard Leese and Sir Howard Bernstein, seems to have been a talent incubator as well as leading the northern powerhouse.

The Guardian

This is not an inconsiderable task and I found these goals were met in a very accessible and readable textbook The book is divided into four parts with part one providing an introduction to the major therapeutic modalities of cancer management and the principles behind them.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Current opinion polls suggest that both of those are not inconsiderable tasks at the moment.

BBC

Once again, Limni has taken on the not-inconsiderable task of editing five ish) days worth of heated debate into one snack-sized portion.

The Guardian - Tech

Like those unsuspecting guys who were assigned the task of carrying a trunk bearing the not inconsiderable weight of James Corden in "One Man, Two Guvnors" on Broadway last year.

The New York Times

This is not an inconsiderable contribution, for, on at least one conception of the field, the main task of bioethics is not so much to provide answers to moral problems as to identify where the problems lie.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This task was given to me, and I carried it through with no inconsiderable success".

The Guardian

This task was given to me, and I carried it through with no inconsiderable success.' Since then, there has been overwhelming evidence that the US, Britain and Australia have trained and armed Indonesian special forces known as Kopassus, the equivalent of the Nazi Waffen-SS, who spearheaded the in vasion of East Timor and bear much of the responsibility for the death of a third of the population.

The Guardian

This task was given to me, and I carried it forward with no inconsiderable success".

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inconsiderable task" when you want to subtly emphasize the size or difficulty of a task, especially when it might initially seem smaller or easier than it actually is.

Common error

Avoid using "inconsiderable task" when you mean a truly insignificant task. The "in-" prefix negates "considerable", so the phrase actually refers to a task that is quite large or important, not the opposite.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inconsiderable task" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "inconsiderable" modifies the noun "task". Its primary grammatical function is to describe a task that is significant or substantial, despite perhaps appearing otherwise. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage in various contexts, emphasizing the unexpected magnitude of the task.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inconsiderable task" is an uncommon yet valid way to describe a task that is larger or more difficult than it might initially appear. While grammatically sound, it's crucial to understand that the double negative makes it the opposite of a trivial task. Ludwig AI highlights the importance of this understanding, as using it incorrectly could lead to miscommunication. When writing, consider if synonyms like "significant undertaking" or "substantial challenge" might be clearer for your audience. Its most frequent use is in News & Media. Consider using simpler alternatives in informal communications. The phrase is rarely used in other fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable project

Replaces "task" with "project", suggesting a more planned and structured effort.

significant undertaking

Replaces "inconsiderable" with "significant" and "task" with "undertaking", emphasizing the importance and scale of the task.

demanding job

Highlights the effort and skills required to complete the task.

substantial challenge

Replaces "inconsiderable" with "substantial" and "task" with "challenge", highlighting the difficulty involved.

formidable undertaking

Conveys a sense of the task being daunting and challenging.

major endeavor

Replaces "inconsiderable task" with a more concise phrase, still indicating a large and important undertaking.

complex operation

Suggests the task involves multiple steps and intricate details.

noteworthy assignment

Substitutes "inconsiderable" with "noteworthy" and "task" with "assignment", focusing on the importance and visibility of the task.

weighty responsibility

Emphasizes the burden and importance associated with the task.

onerous duty

Emphasizes the unpleasant or burdensome nature of the task.

FAQs

What does "inconsiderable task" actually mean?

The phrase "inconsiderable task" means a task that is actually quite large or important, despite potentially appearing small or easy at first. It uses a double negative: "in-" negates "considerable", so it's the opposite of a small task.

When is it appropriate to use "inconsiderable task" in writing?

Use "inconsiderable task" when you want to emphasize that a task is more significant than it might initially seem. It's suitable in formal or semi-formal contexts where you want to add a touch of understatement.

Are there synonyms for "inconsiderable task" that are easier to understand?

Yes, you can use synonyms such as "significant undertaking", "substantial challenge", or "major endeavor" for clearer communication.

Is "inconsiderable task" a common phrase in modern English?

No, "inconsiderable task" is not a very common phrase. While grammatically correct, it's less frequently used than its simpler synonyms, which can be more easily understood by a wider audience.