painful task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painful task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is difficult, tedious, or emotionally challenging to complete. Example: "Cleaning out the garage was a painful task, but it had to be done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Not just avoidance behaviour, but also painful task persistence might be a risk factor for development and maintenance of pain complaints.

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

"Why do I do such a painful task?" she said.

The New Yorker

After that comes the more painful task of demolition.

The New York Times

But soon enough they were faced with the painful task of allocating what proved to be an extremely limited resource.

The New York Times - Health

Grant, then a medical student, has the painful task of naming what has hitherto only been a fear.

The Guardian - Books

On Sunday, families of victims performed the painful task of collecting their loved ones' belongings from police.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

According to de Jouvenel, an atmosphere of "facility" corrupted everything, and people had become increasingly unwilling to take on painful tasks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Among the funeral arrangements and other painful tasks for his mother and father, Alyssa and Rob Black, was choosing the details about their son to share with the world in his obituary.

The Washington Post

"By consistently overriding their selfish impulses in order to help others, they had strengthened their psychological muscles, to the point where using willpower for painful tasks was no longer exhausting," writes Grant of the study, conducted by researchers at Northwestern University.

The New York Times - Magazine

Our society has constructed a model in which a small group of men and women take on the painful tasks of war for all of us and unfairly bear its costs.

The New York Times

Thinking about it will just make it worse Finish off any more bothersome and painful tasks so you don't have to do them later.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "painful task", ensure that the context clearly indicates the source of the pain, whether it's physical, emotional, or mental. For instance, specify if it's a "painful task of grieving" or a "painful task requiring intense concentration".

Common error

Avoid using "painful task" repeatedly to describe similar situations. Instead, vary your language with synonyms such as "arduous chore" or "difficult undertaking" to keep your writing engaging and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "painful task" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "painful" modifies the noun "task". According to Ludwig AI, this expression is correct and commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Science & Research

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "painful task" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to describe activities marked by difficulty, unpleasantness, or emotional distress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English. Found predominantly in news and media, science, and encyclopedias, the phrase effectively conveys the burdensome nature of a particular task. While versatile, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the pain—physical, emotional, or mental—and to avoid overuse by varying language with synonyms like "arduous chore" or "difficult undertaking".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arduous chore

Replaces 'task' with 'chore', suggesting a routine but difficult activity, and 'painful' with 'arduous', denoting strenuous effort.

difficult undertaking

Substitutes 'painful' with 'difficult' emphasizing the challenge, and 'task' with 'undertaking' highlighting a project or endeavor.

unpleasant duty

Replaces 'painful' with 'unpleasant', focusing on the disagreeable nature, and 'task' with 'duty', implying an obligation.

challenging assignment

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the task by using 'challenging', while 'assignment' suggests a specific piece of work.

taxing endeavor

Highlights the draining aspect of the task with 'taxing', and uses 'endeavor' to portray a serious attempt or effort.

grueling activity

Conveys the exhausting nature of the task by using 'grueling', and replaces 'task' with 'activity', suggesting a more general action.

trying experience

Focuses on the hardship involved by using 'trying', and replaces 'task' with 'experience', broadening the scope to an event or occurrence.

onerous responsibility

Highlights the burdensome aspect with 'onerous', and replaces 'task' with 'responsibility', implying a duty that is difficult to bear.

formidable endeavor

Stresses the intimidating nature of the task by using 'formidable', highlighting the potential for difficulty or failure.

distressing obligation

Emphasizes the emotional burden using 'distressing' and replaces 'task' with 'obligation' suggesting a compulsory action that causes discomfort.

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "painful task"?

Alternatives to "painful task" include "arduous chore", "difficult undertaking", or "unpleasant duty". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use "painful task" to describe a difficult or unpleasant activity. For example, "The most painful task was informing the family of the accident" or "Budget cuts made the painful task of laying off employees necessary".

What makes a task "painful"?

A "painful task" can be difficult due to physical strain, emotional distress, or mental exhaustion. The term implies a significant degree of discomfort or hardship associated with completing the task.

Is it better to avoid mentioning a "painful task"?

While it might be tempting to gloss over difficult aspects, acknowledging a "painful task" can add authenticity and emotional depth to your writing. Use the phrase judiciously to highlight genuine struggles or challenges.