it was daunting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was daunting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or task that feels intimidating or overwhelming. Example: "When I first started my new job, it was daunting to learn all the new systems and processes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was daunting.

The New York Times - Magazine

Technically it was daunting.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was daunting but hugely rewarding.

The Guardian

"It was daunting and it was a different era.

Independent

She added: "It's exciting but at first it was daunting.

Independent

"It's exciting but at first it was daunting.

The Guardian - Film

So it was daunting when you looked at it.

The New Yorker

It was daunting at that age, like having your first day at school.

Independent

It was daunting - not necessarily to come between them, but to arrive as another dynamic".

Independent

It was daunting, especially when he was still on straight-look terms with his new companions.

The Economist

As a team it was daunting because lowly Swindon were playing at Anfield or Old Trafford.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was daunting" to describe situations that initially feel overwhelming but can be overcome with effort and preparation. For example: "Learning to code seemed impossible at first, but with consistent practice, "it was daunting" no more."

Common error

Avoid using "it was daunting" as a standalone statement without explaining why it was daunting. Always provide specific details about the situation or task that made it feel overwhelming to give the reader a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was daunting" functions as a descriptive statement, expressing a subjective assessment of a past experience. It serves to convey that something felt intimidating, overwhelming, or challenging. As Ludwig AI says, this phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was daunting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something that felt intimidating or overwhelming. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and suitable for various contexts, although primarily found in News & Media and Academia. While alternatives like "it felt intimidating" or "it seemed overwhelming" exist, "it was daunting" remains a concise and effective way to convey this feeling. When using this phrase, ensure you provide context to clarify why the situation felt daunting. Overall, it's a reliable phrase for expressing a sense of being challenged by something significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was quite intimidating

Adds "quite" to intensify the feeling of being intimidating.

it felt intimidating

Changes the verb from "was daunting" to "felt intimidating" to emphasize the subjective feeling of intimidation.

it seemed overwhelming

Replaces "daunting" with "overwhelming" to highlight the sense of being too much to handle.

it appeared formidable

Substitutes "daunting" with "formidable", suggesting something inspiring respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.

it presented a challenge

Uses a more neutral term, "challenge", to downplay the negative connotation of being daunted, focusing on the difficulty.

it proved to be difficult

Emphasizes the difficulty encountered rather than the initial feeling of being daunted.

it looked insurmountable

Implies that the obstacle appeared too great to be overcome.

it posed a significant hurdle

Uses the metaphor of a "hurdle" to represent the challenge, suggesting something to be overcome.

it filled me with apprehension

Focuses on the emotional response of apprehension rather than the inherent quality of the situation.

it stirred trepidation within me

Emphasizes the feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen.

FAQs

How can I use "it was daunting" in a sentence?

Use "it was daunting" to describe a situation that felt intimidating or overwhelming at first. For example: "Starting a new business "it was daunting", but I learned a lot along the way."

What are some alternatives to saying "it was daunting"?

You can use alternatives such as "it felt intimidating", "it seemed overwhelming", or "it appeared formidable" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "it was daunting"?

Yes, "it was daunting" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that felt intimidating or overwhelming.

What's the difference between "it was daunting" and "it was challenging"?

"It was daunting" emphasizes the feeling of intimidation or overwhelm, while "it was challenging" simply highlights the difficulty of the task without necessarily implying fear or anxiety.