is a difficult undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is a difficult undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a task or project that requires significant effort, skill, or resources to accomplish. Example: "Completing the marathon training program is a difficult undertaking, but it is worth the effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Succeeding him is a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

Succeeding Mr. McQueen is a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Sport

Establishing a peacekeeping force is a difficult undertaking for Europe — politically, financially and economically.

The New York Times

Measuring the effective impact of research and its relevance to society is a difficult undertaking but one that the public sector is keen to embrace.

Research Policy

It was brave because it is a difficult undertaking to switch parties when one has been a member of the federal legislative branch for such a long time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

Its time is overdue -- but if the experience of Columbia University is any indication, it will be a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

Dan Wewer, a managing director at Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown, said that finding an available executive with extensive retailing experience would have been a difficult undertaking.

The New York Times

It would be a difficult undertaking, potentially controversial, and it would mean jumping forward 500 years …" That night, I slept very well in my tower room.

The Guardian

Shopping for a high-definition camcorder doesn't sound like it should be a difficult undertaking, but the vast differences in prices can make your head spin.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase; while widely understood, more specific language might be appropriate for expert audiences.

Common error

While accurate, relying too heavily on "is a difficult undertaking" can make writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "presents a significant challenge" or "requires considerable effort" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a difficult undertaking" functions as a predicate nominative, describing a noun or noun phrase as a challenging task or project. Ludwig examples show it commonly used to characterize complex processes or endeavors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is a difficult undertaking" effectively communicates the challenging nature of a task or project. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, especially in news, science, and academia. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate when emphasizing the complexity and effort required. To avoid repetition, consider alternatives like "presents a significant challenge" or "requires considerable effort". The analysis of source authority and register indicates its suitability for professional and neutral communication, making it a valuable phrase for precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fraught with difficulties

Uses "fraught with" to directly indicate that the undertaking is filled with challenges.

presents a significant challenge

Replaces the noun "undertaking" with "challenge" and uses the verb "presents" to describe the level of difficulty.

is a Herculean effort

This phrase uses the adjective 'Herculean' indicating that the effort is very hard and difficult

is a formidable task

Substitutes "difficult" with "formidable" and "undertaking" with "task", highlighting the demanding nature of the activity.

is a tough proposition

Employs the word "proposition" to suggest something that is not simple to achieve.

requires considerable effort

Focuses on the amount of effort needed, rather than directly stating the difficulty.

is no easy feat

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the difficulty, emphasizing that it is not simple to achieve.

poses substantial hurdles

Emphasizes the obstacles involved, using "hurdles" to represent the difficulties.

involves navigating complexities

Focuses on the intricate nature and the need to manage complex elements.

demands careful execution

Highlights the need for precision and care due to the inherent challenges.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is a difficult undertaking" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "presents a significant challenge", "necessitates considerable effort", or "entails substantial complexity".

What are some less formal alternatives to "is a difficult undertaking"?

In less formal contexts, you can use phrases like "is no walk in the park", "is a tough job", or "is a hard thing to do".

Is "is a difficult undertaking" the same as "is a challenging task"?

While both phrases convey the idea of something not being easy, "is a difficult undertaking" often implies a more complex and involved project than "is a challenging task". A task might be one component of a larger undertaking.

Can "is a difficult undertaking" be used to describe a person?

No, "is a difficult undertaking" is typically used to describe tasks, projects, or processes, not people. To describe a person who is challenging to deal with, you might say "is a difficult person" or "is challenging to work with".