it is a difficult task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is a difficult task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a task that requires significant effort or skill to complete. Example: "Completing this project on time is challenging; it is a difficult task that requires careful planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The optimal threshold is a slope on the operating curve and finding it is a difficult task in its own right [36].

Decision Support Systems

Although the existence of the generalized solution for the nonlinear incompressible viscoelastic fluid system (1 - 3) has been provided in [1, 6], because the system not merely contains the pressure and the velocity vector but also includes the deformation tensor matrix, i.e., it includes seven unknown functions, it is a difficult task to obtain its analytical solution.

Boundary Value Problems

But it is a difficult task, as General Musharraf acknowledged today.

The New York Times

"It is a difficult task," he said, "but we are going to do our best".

The New York Times

It is a difficult task and she has leapt to the front of non-fiction illustration".

Independent

It is a difficult task when the party is suffering electoral reverses and the country is fearing economic misery.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a difficult task to first establish buy-in, but then maintain it and ensure a feedback loop over many years.

The Guardian

It is a difficult task, and Ovechkin dishes out punishment more than he takes it, as indicated by his game-high six hits.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a difficult task, because John the Baptist, instead of preparing the way for the Messiah, has claimed that he is the true Messiah, and has gone and got himself appropriately crucified on Calvary.

The New Yorker

If we do well in 2012 it would help the sport in this country but we're a new federation, we've been going only six years so it is a difficult task.

The Guardian - Sport

Acemoglu cautioned, however, that the "problem is that in such things, especially when it is a difficult task based on lots of new data sources, the devil is in the details.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is a difficult task", be specific about why the task is difficult. Providing context enhances clarity and emphasizes the nature of the challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "it is a difficult task" as a standalone statement. Always follow up with an explanation of the specific challenges involved to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is a difficult task" functions as a statement expressing the degree of effort or complexity involved in a particular undertaking. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to inform the audience about the demanding nature of the activity being discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is a difficult task" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively communicates the challenging nature of an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. This phrase is versatile, appearing frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. To enhance its impact, it's best practice to provide specific reasons for the difficulty. While the phrase is widely accepted, overuse without context can be a pitfall. Alternatives like ""it is a challenging endeavor"" or ""it is a tough assignment"" can add variety to your writing. Ultimately, "it is a difficult task" remains a reliable choice for conveying the demanding nature of a particular endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is a challenging endeavor

Replaces 'task' with 'endeavor' and 'difficult' with 'challenging', focusing on the demanding nature of the undertaking.

it is a tough assignment

Substitutes 'difficult' with 'tough' and 'task' with 'assignment', indicating a demanding duty.

it is a complex undertaking

Replaces 'difficult' with 'complex' and 'task' with 'undertaking', emphasizing the intricate nature of the activity.

it presents a significant challenge

Changes the structure to highlight the challenge posed by the task, rather than directly stating its difficulty.

it is a demanding activity

Replaces 'difficult' with 'demanding' and 'task' with 'activity', focusing on the effort required.

it is no easy feat

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the difficulty, implying that the task requires significant skill or effort.

it requires considerable effort

Shifts the focus to the effort needed, rather than explicitly stating the difficulty of the task.

it is an uphill battle

Employs a metaphor to illustrate the struggle and resistance encountered in the task.

it is a Herculean effort

Uses hyperbole to emphasize the immense effort required, comparing it to the labors of Hercules.

it is a tall order

Utilizes a colloquial expression to indicate that the task is ambitious and difficult to achieve.

FAQs

What does "it is a difficult task" mean?

The phrase "it is a difficult task" means that something requires significant effort, skill, or persistence to accomplish. It implies that the task is not easy and may present obstacles or challenges.

What can I say instead of "it is a difficult task"?

You can use alternatives like "it is a challenging endeavor", "it is a tough assignment", or "it presents a significant challenge" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "it is a difficult task" or "it is a challenging task"?

Both "it is a difficult task" and "it is a challenging task" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express; "difficult" emphasizes the effort required, while "challenging" highlights the stimulating nature of the task.

How to make "it is a difficult task" more impactful?

To make "it is a difficult task" more impactful, provide specific details about the challenges involved or the potential consequences of failure. For example, instead of saying "solving this problem is a difficult task", you could say "solving this problem is a difficult task due to limited resources and time constraints".