minor undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "minor undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that is relatively small in scale or significance. Example: "The committee decided to approve the minor undertaking of updating the office decor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Fitting out may be a relatively minor undertaking, as with a tanker or a bulk carrier, but in the case of a passenger vessel, the work will be extensive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Three smaller airport Yotels have proved successful at Heathrow, Gatwick and Amsterdam's Schiphol, but the $315m New York outpost, which opened last week, is the pair's first city venture, and with 669 "cabin" rooms over 27 floors of "affordable luxury", it's no minor undertaking.

The Guardian - Travel

Such a count was no minor undertaking; to avoid miscategorizing or erasing the racial identities of writers, VIDA reached out to women who published in each outlet with a carefully constructed survey.

Huffington Post

"It was great to build the house green, but the reality is that it is a production studio" says Pete, "I set myself up to be underwhelmed, but what happened was the complete opposite!" "Jim Johnston--thExecutive Producer, Fabian Andrere, and Morgan Cohen really went out of the way to make the house and the actual production as green as possible, which is no minor undertaking," assures Pete.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Neurofibromas were completely removed after minor surgery, undertaken by either a dermatologist or a surgeon.

Human Mutation

In addition, temporary learning spaces will be set up and minor repairs undertaken while damaged schools are rehabilitated.

Unicef

This scheme can potentially be also utilized in next generation wireless cellular networks, irrespective of any standards, by undertaking minor modifications, as required to conform to the respective standards.

Expert Systems with Applications

Similarly certain aspects of facility infrastructure might be improved using P4P resources, such as purchasing new mattresses, or undertaking minor renovation work.

BMC Health Services Research

The primary goals for the Education Sector are to restore learning opportunities for IDP children by either integrating IDP children into host communities' schools, undertaking minor rehabilitation of existing school/class rooms and/or the creation of additional learning spaces by setting up temporary shelters with access to sanitation and water facilities.

Unicef

The package sets aside an additional $50 million to help poor urban districts undertake minor repairs in older school buildings.

The New York Times

As its president, since 2014, Meurig Raymond, explained, "The NFU has pressed Defra and the Environment Agency to enable farmers to undertake minor works for many years".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "minor undertaking" when you want to downplay the scale of a project or task, emphasizing its manageability and limited impact. It's especially effective when contrasting with larger, more complex endeavors.

Common error

Avoid using "minor undertaking" when describing projects that require substantial resources or have significant consequences. This can create a disconnect between the description and the reality, potentially undermining credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "minor undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or as a complement. It describes a task, project, or activity that is perceived as being of limited scale, effort, or significance. As Ludwig AI points out, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

12%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "minor undertaking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe tasks or projects that are considered small in scale or significance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, its presence across diverse sources—including news outlets like The Guardian, encyclopedias, and scientific publications—underscores its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure that the described task genuinely aligns with its connotation of limited scope to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternatives such as "small task" or "simple project" can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small task

Focuses on the size of the job.

simple project

Emphasizes the uncomplicated nature of the work.

modest endeavor

Highlights the limited ambition of the activity.

easy assignment

Stresses the lack of difficulty involved.

light responsibility

Indicates a minimal level of accountability.

trivial matter

Downplays the importance of the issue.

insignificant job

Underscores the lack of consequence.

minor operation

Draws a parallel to a small-scale action, often in a technical context.

small scale activity

Highlights the limited scale of the operation.

routine procedure

Suggests the task is a standard, uncomplicated process.

FAQs

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

You can use "minor undertaking" to describe a task or project that is relatively small in scope or importance. For example: "Updating the office decor was considered a "minor undertaking" by the management team."

What are some alternatives to "minor undertaking"?

Alternatives include "small task", "simple project", or "modest endeavor", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "minor undertaking" a formal or informal phrase?

"Minor undertaking" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for use in professional or academic contexts, as seen in examples from The Guardian and Encyclopedia Britannica.

What's the difference between "minor undertaking" and "major project"?

"Minor undertaking" implies a task that is relatively small, easy to manage, and has limited impact, while "major project" suggests a task that is large, complex, and has significant consequences.