slight undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slight undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that is not very demanding or significant in nature. Example: "Although it was a slight undertaking, I was pleased to see the positive impact it had on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

By the time Mr. Rouhani took the rostrum at the United Nations late on Tuesday afternoon, it was clear that he felt compelled to undertake a slight course correction.

The New York Times

There is also a slight age difference between patients; those undertaking cosmetic procedures are on average younger than orthopedic patients.

Globalization and Health

The inclusion of individuals who sought medical care and had a creatinine test undertaken resulted in a slight over-representation of elderly and comorbid patients.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

With crew rosters of 12 to 15 sailors each, and lengths ranging from 88 to 125 feet, the competing cats -- some of which were recently launched and have undertaken the slightest of sea trials -- are easily capable of prolonged speed runs of more than 30 knots.

The New York Times - Sports

Because data were derived from 3 hospitals that undertook reviews for different purposes, the slight differences in inclusion criteria and death categorizations necessitated subanalyses for the death within 30 days comparison and the collapsing of the categorizations into 3 groups.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Studies undertaken in different settings or in different countries might display slight divergences, as HRQL is also modulated by cultural and care patterns.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

A simultaneous one second spray from both cans, directed away from staff, was undertaken about 30 seconds before the allocated spray administration thus a slight fragrance was generated regardless of the nature of the spray administered.

British Medical Journal

Although most PACS software programs allow for spatial coregistration and linking it is equally important to consider that slight motion between acquisitions can result in misregistration so visual inspection for such should be undertaken before attempting to detect focal abnormalities.

BioMed Research International

An investigation for regression of motor functions and mental difficulties was undertaken by neurologists and psychologists during the first class of primary school; a slight cerebral palsy with normal intellect was diagnosed.

Acta Neuropathologica

Slight problem.

The New York Times - Books

A slight?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight undertaking" when you want to downplay the importance or difficulty of a task, making it sound manageable and less daunting.

Common error

Avoid using "slight undertaking" for projects that are actually complex or critical. It can undermine the perceived importance of the work and potentially lead to underestimation of the effort required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight undertaking" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "slight" modifies the noun "undertaking". It describes a task or project that is considered to be of minor importance or difficulty. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slight undertaking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a task or project that is not particularly demanding or significant. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its usage isn't very common, it serves to downplay the importance or complexity of a task, making it sound more manageable. Related phrases include "minor endeavor" and "small task". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the true nature of the project to avoid misrepresenting its difficulty or importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor" to indicate a small and not particularly significant project.

small task

Uses the more common word "task" instead of "undertaking", making the phrase more informal and direct.

easy project

Focuses on the ease of the undertaking, emphasizing its lack of difficulty.

simple assignment

Highlights the straightforward nature of the task, suggesting it requires minimal effort or complexity.

modest operation

Implies a limited scope and scale for the undertaking, suitable for formal contexts.

trivial matter

Suggests the undertaking is of very little importance or consequence.

painless exercise

Emphasizes the lack of difficulty or discomfort associated with the undertaking.

light duty

Indicates a task that is not physically or mentally demanding.

negligible effort

Focuses on the minimal amount of effort required for the undertaking.

routine procedure

Describes the undertaking as a standard and unremarkable process.

FAQs

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

You might say, "Although it was a "slight undertaking", the project still required careful planning" or "Compared to the previous year's challenges, this year's initiative was a "slight undertaking".

What are some alternatives to "slight undertaking"?

Alternatives include "minor endeavor", "small task", or "easy project", depending on the specific context.

Is "slight undertaking" formal or informal?

It falls somewhere in between. While "undertaking" itself can sound formal, when paired with "slight", it often denotes a less formal context, suggesting the task isn't particularly challenging or significant.

What is the difference between a "slight undertaking" and a "major project"?

A "slight undertaking" implies minimal effort, resources and impact, whereas a "major project" typically suggests considerable complexity, investment, and significance.