long-term undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long-term undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a project or commitment that requires a significant amount of time to complete or achieve. Example: "The organization has embarked on a long-term undertaking to improve community health services over the next decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It is a huge, long-term undertaking.

The Guardian

With cables continuing to trickle out, they said, protecting those identified will be a complex, delicate and long-term undertaking.

The New York Times

United Nations leadership will facilitate the participation of the broadest possible coalition of governments in Iraq's reconstruction, which will be a costly, long-term undertaking".

The New York Times

Dr. Regina Rabinovich, the foundation's head of infectious disease, said the Gateses knew it was a long-term undertaking, not possible without more money, better health systems and probably a vaccine, which is still far off.

The New York Times - Health

Each wedge is a significant, long-term undertaking — doubling the fuel economy for 2 billion cars, cutting building and appliance emissions by a quarter, or doubling the current capacity for generating nuclear energy, for example.

Princeton University

Rebuilding after disasters is a long-term undertaking, but if local people are engaged and involved, the capacity building will provide the basis for rebuilding a better future for Haiti.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In Atlantic salmon, such populations are relatively rare, and the production of divergent or inbred lines is a long term undertaking due to the long generation interval.

Genetics, Selection, Evolution

HRD for any service delivery area is a complex and long term undertaking; the experience of the NTP shows that HRD issues get more complex as the programme develops and expands, thereby adding to the already substantial HRD needs.

Human Resources for Health

Two years ago, the experiences of postdocs at the Whitehead Institute were similar to those of postdocs at many other institutions: Our compensation structure and overall situation did not reflect the fact that a modern postdoc is a long-term, professional undertaking.

Science Magazine

During the week-long conference in Manchester, the Conservatives have announced plans to make the long-term unemployed undertake work placements if they want to continue receiving benefits.

BBC

Conference also heard plans for a new scheme to make long-term unemployed undertake work placements or compulsory training in return for benefits.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing initiatives that require a sustained commitment of resources and time, use "long-term undertaking" to emphasize the extended duration and strategic scope of the effort.

Common error

Avoid using "long-term undertaking" to describe actions that yield immediate benefits or short-term gains; this phrase should be reserved for projects with a significantly extended timeline and deferred results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long-term undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound expression. It describes a project or endeavor that requires considerable time and effort to complete.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long-term undertaking" is a noun phrase used to describe projects or activities that require a significant amount of time and effort to complete. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts like news reports, academic papers, and business documents. Common alternatives include ""long-range project"" and ""enduring commitment"". It is important to distinguish "long-term undertaking" from actions with immediate, short-term results. Its usage indicates a strategic, sustained commitment, rather than a quick fix. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long-range project

Focuses on the duration and scope of the project.

enduring commitment

Emphasizes dedication and the lasting nature of the involvement.

sustained effort

Highlights the continuous and prolonged exertion required.

drawn-out affair

Conveys a sense of lengthiness and possible complexity.

prolonged endeavor

Stresses the extended period of the effort or task.

lengthy process

Focuses on the extended duration and the sequential steps involved.

extended operation

Highlights the duration and structured nature of the activity.

long-haul venture

Implies resilience and a commitment to achieving distant goals.

multi-year plan

Specifically denotes a strategy designed to span several years.

long-cycle initiative

Emphasizes the extended timeframe from start to completion of the program.

FAQs

How can I use "long-term undertaking" in a sentence?

You can use "long-term undertaking" to describe projects that require significant time and resources. For instance: "Improving infrastructure is a "long-term undertaking" requiring substantial investment.".

What are some alternatives to "long-term undertaking"?

Alternatives include "long-range project", "enduring commitment", or "sustained effort depending on the context".

Is "long-term undertaking" formal or informal?

"Long-term undertaking" is suitable for formal and professional contexts, such as business reports, academic papers, and news articles.

What's the difference between "long-term undertaking" and "short-term project"?

"Long-term undertaking" implies an extended duration and strategic planning, while "short-term project" suggests a limited scope and quicker completion. For example, implementing a new software system might be a "long-term undertaking", whereas fixing a bug is a "short-term project".