it was a formidable task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a formidable task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a challenging or difficult task that required significant effort or skill to accomplish. Example: "Completing the project on time was a formidable task, but the team managed to pull it off successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was a formidable task.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Books

It's a formidable task.

The New York Times

And it's a formidable task, because we grow up often with prejudices against snakes.

Cornell University

"It's a formidable task for us," Dodgers Manager Jim Tracy said.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The Economist

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

The New York Times

It is a formidable task – as indeed it was for Attlee, who met dreadful opposition at the time, even though he has been sanctified by modern historians.

The Guardian - Business

A large, integrated company makes sense, in his view, when a technology is young and it is a formidable task simply to make a product or service that works.

The New York Times

It's a formidable task for one of the world's largest automakers.

Forbes

(6a) and (6b) are coupled and, therefore, it is a formidable task to obtain exact solutions in their current form.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a formidable task" when you want to emphasize the scale and difficulty of a project or undertaking. The phrase suggests that the task required significant resources, effort, and skill to accomplish.

Common error

While "it was a formidable task" is a strong expression, avoid using it too frequently in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "it was a major challenge" or "it was a daunting undertaking" to maintain reader engagement and prevent your writing from sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a formidable task" functions as a descriptive statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It serves to characterize a particular undertaking as challenging and demanding, highlighting the effort required for its completion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was a formidable task" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe an undertaking that presented significant challenges and required considerable effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, although primarily found in news and media, science and business sources. To ensure writing remains engaging, consider alternatives such as "it presented a major challenge" or "it was a daunting undertaking" to avoid repetition. Remember, using synonyms can maintain reader interest and showcase your writing skills. Although it is possible to use the phrase in many contexts, be mindful of overusing it. Overall, "it was a formidable task" is a valuable phrase to have in your linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it presented a major challenge

Emphasizes the challenging nature of the task.

it was a daunting undertaking

Highlights the intimidating aspect of the task.

it proved to be very difficult

Focuses on the high level of difficulty encountered.

it required significant effort

Stresses the substantial amount of effort needed.

it was no easy feat

Underlines the fact that the task was far from simple.

it involved considerable difficulty

Indicates the presence of notable challenges.

it was a herculean effort

Implies an extraordinary amount of strength and effort.

it demanded great skill

Highlights the level of expertise required.

it represented a steep learning curve

Focuses on the rapid and intense learning required.

it was a taxing endeavor

Stresses the demanding and burdensome nature of the task.

FAQs

What does "it was a formidable task" mean?

The phrase "it was a formidable task" means that something was very difficult or challenging to accomplish, requiring significant effort and skill.

What can I say instead of "it was a formidable task"?

You can use alternatives like "it presented a major challenge", "it was a daunting undertaking", or "it proved to be very difficult" to convey a similar meaning.

How do I use "it was a formidable task" in a sentence?

You can use "it was a formidable task" to describe a project, goal, or undertaking that required significant effort and skill. For example: "Completing the project on time, given the limited resources, it was a formidable task."

Is "it was a formidable task" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was a formidable task" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It can be used in academic papers, business reports, news articles, and casual conversations.