more daunting than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more daunting than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare the level of difficulty or intimidation of one thing to another. Example: "The task ahead seems more daunting than I initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For gun control advocates the politics of the issue are more daunting than ever.

Independent

Few puzzles in political philosophy are more daunting than the Problem of the Loyal Henchmen.

The New Yorker

But the numbers may be even more daunting than the Tories have said.

The New York Times

There are few choices more daunting than picking up and moving halfway around the world.

The New York Times

That desire presented an obstacle more daunting than the competition for his first Olympic team.

The New York Times - Sports

That elusive second major title proves more daunting than the first.

The New York Times - Sports

That figure may be even more daunting than a Snapple machine.

The New York Times

But doing that has proven to be more daunting than most bankers expected, he said.

The New York Times

Yet selecting among the growing number of villas is more daunting than making hotel reservations.

The New York Times

Even more daunting than the dearth of dollars is the fragmentation of the adjunct's time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our seemingly simple task was proving to be more daunting than either of us had expected.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "more daunting than" to effectively convey a sense of heightened challenge or intimidation when comparing two situations or tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "most daunting than"; the correct form is "more daunting than" when comparing two items. "Most daunting" should be reserved for superlative statements, where you are highlighting something as the most challenging of all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more daunting than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It describes the degree to which one thing is more intimidating or challenging compared to another. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to highlight relative difficulty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "more daunting than" is a frequently used and grammatically sound comparative phrase that effectively conveys a sense of heightened challenge or intimidation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is evident in its broad usage across diverse contexts, from news reports to personal narratives. When using the phrase, ensure a clear comparison to avoid ambiguity and remember it's ideal for emphasizing relative difficulty. Avoid the common error of using "most daunting than" when comparing only two items. Alternatives such as ""more challenging than"" or ""more intimidating than"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more difficult than

A straightforward substitution, focusing on the general concept of difficulty.

more challenging than

Replaces "daunting" with "challenging", focusing on the aspect of difficulty requiring effort.

more intimidating than

Substitutes "daunting" with "intimidating", highlighting the aspect of causing fear or apprehension.

more overwhelming than

Replaces "daunting" with "overwhelming", emphasizing the feeling of being burdened or unable to cope.

more formidable than

Substitutes "daunting" with "formidable", stressing the aspect of inspiring respect or fear due to impressiveness.

more arduous than

Replaces "daunting" with "arduous", focusing on the difficulty involving great effort and exertion.

more taxing than

Replaces "daunting" with "taxing", focusing on the strain or burden imposed.

more trying than

Substitutes "daunting" with "trying", highlighting the aspect of testing one's patience or endurance.

presents a greater challenge than

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the challenge posed, rather than the feeling of being daunted.

poses a greater obstacle than

Replaces "daunting" with "obstacle", emphasizing the barrier or impediment involved.

FAQs

How can I use "more daunting than" in a sentence?

You can use "more daunting than" to compare the difficulty or intimidating nature of two tasks or situations. For example, "The exam seemed "more daunting than" the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "more daunting than"?

Alternatives include "more challenging than", "more intimidating than", or "more overwhelming than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "more daunting than"?

Yes, "more daunting than" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard comparative form for adjectives in English.

What's the difference between "more daunting than" and "most daunting"?

"More daunting than" compares two things, while "most daunting" identifies something as the single most challenging or intimidating thing in a group. For instance, "Climbing Everest was "more daunting than" climbing Kilimanjaro", but "For him, public speaking was the most daunting task".