is a formidable task

USAGE SUMMARY

'is a formidable task' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when something is difficult or intimidating. For example, "Completing this project within a month's time is a formidable task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But sorting out the facts is a formidable task.

The New York Times

But emulating the nose and brain of a trained dog is a formidable task.

The New York Times - Science

Of course, winning the World Cup is a formidable task for any country.

The New York Times - Sports

Producing a sequel to a star car is a formidable task for a designer.

The New York Times

"It is a formidable task for any emir to handle the al-Thanis," says another seasoned observer.

The Economist

That is a formidable task in Africa where the overwhelming majority of women breast-feed their infants for long periods.

The New York Times

"It is a formidable task to develop the delivery strategies that are needed to supply them," Mr. Lipsky said.

The New York Times

"Gaining the cooperation of an Al Qaeda member is a formidable task, but it is not impossible," Mr. Cloonan said.

The New York Times

Not many New Yorkers know of this urban wilderness and for those who do, getting there and enjoying its natural beauty is a formidable task.

The New York Times

But lifting a country out of poverty is a formidable task, and in some areas — housing and public safety, especially — Venezuela still has far to go.

The New Yorker

Identifying which bacteria are critical and which are bystanders, which strains affect which behaviors, by which pathways, in whom and when, is a formidable task.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is a formidable task", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the task difficult or challenging. Providing specific details will enhance the impact of your statement.

Common error

While "is a formidable task" is a useful expression, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "is a daunting challenge" or "presents a significant challenge" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is a formidable task" functions as a predicate nominative, where "task" is the subject complement linked to the subject by the verb "is". The adjective "formidable" modifies "task", indicating the level of difficulty. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is a formidable task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe something challenging. As affirmed by Ludwig, it’s appropriate for diverse contexts, especially science, news, and business. For increased writing impact, be specific about the challenges. If you want to avoid overuse, consider using alternatives like "is a daunting challenge" or "presents a significant challenge". To provide clear context when using the phrase "is a formidable task", make sure to explain clearly what you're talking about.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a daunting challenge

Replaces "task" with "challenge" and "formidable" with "daunting", altering the specific noun and adjective while keeping the overall meaning of difficulty.

presents a significant challenge

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the challenge itself, emphasizing its significance.

is no easy feat

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate that something is not easily accomplished.

is a substantial undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking" and "formidable" with "substantial", suggesting a large and significant effort.

requires a Herculean effort

Emphasizes the immense effort needed by using the adjective "Herculean".

is a major hurdle

Emphasizes the obstacle aspect of the task, portraying it as a significant barrier.

is an uphill battle

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the difficulty and struggle involved.

is a tough assignment

Replaces "formidable" with "tough" and "task" with "assignment", providing simpler synonyms.

is a demanding endeavor

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the effort required by using the word "endeavor".

is a tall order

Uses an informal idiom to suggest that a request or task is difficult to fulfill.

FAQs

What does "is a formidable task" mean?

The phrase "is a formidable task" means that something is challenging, difficult, or intimidating to accomplish. It suggests that the task requires significant effort and skill.

How can I use "is a formidable task" in a sentence?

You can use "is a formidable task" to describe any endeavor that presents significant difficulties. For example: "Solving this complex equation "is a formidable task"."

What are some alternatives to "is a formidable task"?

Some alternatives include "is a daunting challenge", "presents a significant challenge", or "is no easy feat". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "is a formidable task" formal or informal?

"Is a formidable task" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in a variety of contexts, including academic, professional, and journalistic writing. However, consider the tone of your writing and the context when selecting words and phrases.