laborious task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laborious task" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to refer to a task that requires a lot of effort and is usually physically or mentally tiring. For example: "Cleaning out the garage was a laborious task, but it was necessary in order to make room for our new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's a laborious task to sell unrenovated apartments," said Jill Jordan, a broker with Halstead Property.

The New York Times

Take the laborious task of app switching by double-tapping the home button.

The Guardian - Tech

First, though, someone had to go through the contents of the place, a surprisingly laborious task.

The New Yorker

So far, it has been a laborious task for the police, leaving as many questions unanswered as raised.

The New York Times

Selecting the pieces was a laborious task, as the palace collection is estimated to include a million artifacts.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a laborious task, especially in our section, which had so few prisoners and hence few transcribers.

Independent

Eventually the house was finished, and its proud owner set about the laborious task of painting every inch of wood.

Independent

It is going to be a laborious task, with much squabbling and much recourse to satellite-aided surveying.

The Economist

For the past week, a judge in a criminal court in Madras has been busy with the laborious task of cataloging her jewelry collection.

The New York Times

The anxious person proceeds in the laborious task of formulating various hypotheses about all the possible courses that events could take.

The New York Times

It matches songs on a customer's computer to a master database on Google's servers, allowing users to skip the laborious task of uploading every single song.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid redundancy, ensure that surrounding sentences don't repeat the idea of effort if "laborious" is used. Vary your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "laborious task" for tasks that are generally understood to be effortful. For instance, stating that "climbing Mount Everest is a laborious task" is redundant, as the effort is implied. Reserve "laborious" for less obvious or unexpectedly difficult tasks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laborious task" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "laborious" modifies the noun "task". It describes a particular kind of task that is characterized by requiring considerable effort and time. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "laborious task" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes an activity requiring significant effort and time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use it appropriately and avoid redundancy by considering alternative descriptors like "demanding job" or "challenging activity" where fitting. The phrase sees common usage in Science and News & Media. Remember to reserve it for situations where the effort is not already implied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking", suggesting a more significant and complex project.

demanding job

Substitutes "task" with "job", implying a work-related activity that requires considerable effort.

grueling assignment

Replaces "laborious" and "task" with words suggesting an exhausting and difficult responsibility.

strenuous endeavor

Similar to "arduous undertaking", but emphasizes the physical or mental exertion involved.

difficult undertaking

Focuses on the difficulty rather than the effort, making it a slightly broader term.

challenging activity

Emphasizes the mental stimulation and problem-solving aspect of the task.

toilsome work

Highlights the exhausting and burdensome aspect of the work.

heavy lift

An idiomatic expression that suggests something requiring significant effort and resources.

backbreaking effort

Focuses on the physical strain involved in completing the task.

complex endeavor

Emphasizes the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the task.

FAQs

How can I use "laborious task" in a sentence?

You can use "laborious task" to describe something that requires significant effort and time, like "The restoration of the old paintings was a "laborious task"".

What are some synonyms for "laborious task"?

Alternatives to "laborious task" include "arduous undertaking", "demanding job", or "strenuous endeavor" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to describe work as a "laborious task"?

No, using "laborious task" might be redundant if the effort is already implied or obvious. Consider alternatives like "challenging activity" or "complex endeavor" if the difficulty is more nuanced than just effort.

What's the difference between "laborious task" and "difficult task"?

"Laborious task" emphasizes the effort and time required, while "difficult task" focuses on the complexity and challenges involved. A "laborious task" might be repetitive but tiring, while a "difficult task" requires skill and problem-solving.