subtle tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subtle tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe tasks that require careful attention to detail or are not immediately obvious in their complexity. Example: "The project involved several subtle tasks that required a keen eye for detail to execute properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Indeed, when it comes to peacekeeping operations like the one here in Bosnia, which does not involve direct combat, there are many who argue that the Guard and Reserve are in fact better prepared for the subtle tasks of rebuilding a nation devastated by war.

The New York Times

The convoluted modular assembly of the TCR signalling machine controlled by sequential phosphorylation events and regulatory mechanisms provides the molecular framework for accurately and unfailingly executing these subtle tasks (Altan-Bonnet & Germain, 2005; Acuto et al, 2008).

EMBO Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She was a stylist who devoted her style, bedazzling and heady in itself, to the subtle task of conveying the spirit of a subtle people….

The New Yorker

Finding a way through "the triangle of the United States, the European Union and Russia will be a very subtle task for Polish foreign policy," the official said -- "more difficult than joining NATO".

The New York Times

Materials selection is a difficult and subtle task, due to the immense number of different available materials.

Materials & Design

For example, in the credit risk analysis, modelling the recovery rate is a subtle task (see, e.g. Duffie and Singleton (2003) Section 6, Bakshi et al. (2006), and Guo et al. (2009)).

Probability, Uncertainty and Quantitative Risk

On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 3b, the selection of F i is a more subtle task with the consideration of different importance levels for P-packets.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Designing optimal microstructures for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrodes is a subtle task owing primarily to the multitude of the electro-chemo-physical phenomena taking place simultaneously that directly affect working conditions of a SOFC electrode and its performance.

Computational Materials Science

It is often a subtle task to generalize concepts and proofs from a finite to an infinite dimensional setting: It is thus an open problem whether the techniques and results presented in this paper can be adapted to neural field models.

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience

Choosing a suitable mapper for a given technology and a given application is a subtle task because of the difficulty of evaluating mapping algorithms.

BMC Genomics

While diagnosis is often the first item a medical NLP application extracts, distinguishing principal diagnosis from co-morbidities in text is a much more subtle task, because it requires us to reliably differentiate present from historical, and primary from secondary.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subtle tasks", consider clarifying the specific skill or attention to detail required for effective completion. This adds clarity and emphasizes the importance of the task.

Common error

Avoid using "subtle tasks" without providing context. Simply stating that tasks are subtle can leave the reader wondering what makes them so. Provide specific examples or explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subtle tasks" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "subtle" modifies "tasks". The adjective "subtle" indicates that the tasks require careful attention to detail and a nuanced understanding, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "subtle tasks" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, best suited for describing assignments that demand careful attention to detail and a nuanced understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and suggests that it effectively highlights the need for a refined approach. While "subtle tasks" is not particularly common, appearing primarily in Science and News & Media contexts, its meaning is clear and its usage is appropriate across various registers. When employing this phrase, ensure that the specific elements of subtlety are made clear to avoid ambiguity and enhance understanding. Alternatives such as "delicate assignments" or "intricate duties" can be used to provide a similar meaning while varying the emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delicate assignments

Emphasizes the need for careful and precise handling.

intricate duties

Highlights the complexity and interwoven nature of the tasks.

nuanced responsibilities

Indicates that the tasks require a keen understanding of subtle differences.

complex undertakings

Focuses on the multifaceted nature and scale of the tasks.

sensitive operations

Highlights the importance of discretion and careful management.

challenging endeavors

Stresses the difficulty and effort involved in the tasks.

sophisticated procedures

Implies a high level of technical skill and expertise is needed.

refined activities

Suggests tasks that have been carefully developed and perfected.

discreet actions

Emphasizes the need for secrecy and inconspicuousness.

minor operations

Refers to less important tasks, but still tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "subtle tasks" in a sentence?

You can use "subtle tasks" to describe assignments or duties that require a delicate approach, keen attention to detail, or nuanced understanding. For example, "The project involved several "subtle tasks" that demanded precision and careful execution."

What are some alternatives to "subtle tasks"?

Alternatives to "subtle tasks" include "delicate assignments", "intricate duties", or "nuanced responsibilities". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Are "subtle tasks" always difficult?

Not necessarily. While "subtle tasks" often require careful attention and skill, they are not always inherently difficult. Their subtlety lies in the potential for overlooking important details or nuances rather than in the complexity of the task itself.

What's the difference between "subtle tasks" and "complex tasks"?

"Subtle tasks" require careful attention to detail and a nuanced approach, focusing on the finer points. "Complex tasks", on the other hand, involve multiple interconnected steps and a high degree of coordination. While a complex task might involve subtle elements, subtlety isn't necessarily a defining characteristic of complexity.