large undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "large undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or ambitious project or task that requires considerable effort, resources, or planning. Example: "The construction of the new bridge is a large undertaking that will take several years to complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's a large undertaking.

The Guardian

But the pressure of such a large undertaking was felt at every moment.

The New York Times - Arts

While it's a large undertaking, I'll continue to fight for its passage.

The New York Times

It was quite a large undertaking getting this one done, how did you do it?

The New York Times

It's a large undertaking to plan all of this, but worth it.

The New York Times - Travel

A CTB/McGraw-Hill spokeswoman described the field testing as "a large undertaking that ensures the accuracy of these results".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The proposed Atwater development would be the company's largest undertaking.

Los Angeles Times

All told, Natsios said, it would be the agency's largest undertaking.

Los Angeles Times

The search to find missing teenager Alice Gross is the largest undertaken by police since 7/7, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said today.

Independent

For HSBC, its £12bn rights issue – which could rise to £13bn – would certainly be the largest undertaken without the taxpayer's help since Royal Bank of Scotland tapped its shareholders last April and could possibly be the biggest on record.

The Guardian - Business

Several wiretap probes, among the largest undertaken in recent years by the Drug Enforcement Administration, have exposed the Sinaloa cartel's vast distribution network sprouting from the Calexico crossing.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "large undertaking", clearly define the scope and objectives of the project you are describing to provide context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "large undertaking" for tasks that are routine or only moderately challenging. Reserve it for projects with truly significant scope and complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject complement. It denotes a project or activity of considerable size, complexity, and effort. Ludwig examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "large undertaking" is a commonly used phrase to describe a project or task that is significant in scope and requires considerable effort. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and general communication, it's essential to reserve it for projects that truly warrant the description. Alternatives such as "major endeavor" or "substantial project" can be used for variety or to fine-tune the nuance of the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", emphasizing the effort and ambition involved.

substantial project

Substitutes "undertaking" with "project", highlighting the planned and organized nature of the task.

significant operation

Uses "operation" instead of "undertaking", suggesting a more formal and organized activity.

complex task

Focuses on the complicated nature of the "undertaking".

extensive operation

Highlights the breadth and scope of the activity.

ambitious endeavor

Emphasizes the high goals and aspirations associated with the project.

monumental task

Stresses the impressive size and importance of the job.

Herculean effort

Implies that project requires immense strength and effort.

formidable challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and potential obstacles involved.

mammoth project

Uses a more descriptive term to illustrate the sheer size and scale of the project.

FAQs

How can I use "large undertaking" in a sentence?

You can use "large undertaking" to describe projects or tasks that require significant effort, resources, or planning. For example: "The construction of the new hospital is a "large undertaking" that will take several years to complete."

What can I say instead of "large undertaking"?

You can use alternatives like "major endeavor", "substantial project", or "significant operation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "large undertaking" or "big undertaking"?

"Large undertaking" is generally considered more formal and professional than "big undertaking". While both are understandable, ""large undertaking"" is often preferred in written communication.

What's the difference between "large undertaking" and "complex task"?

While both describe challenging activities, ""large undertaking"" emphasizes the scale and scope of the project, while "complex task" highlights the intricacy and difficulty of the work involved.