task in itself

USAGE SUMMARY

'task in itself' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a task that has a complexity level that is not immediately obvious. For example, "Organizing a birthday party for 15 children is a task in itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was a horrifying task in itself—I photographed rooms full of bones and blood-soaked clothes that stank of death, and belongings still piled against walls that had seen unimaginable horrors.

Vice

Managing both becomes a task in itself.

The Guardian

Managing these processes is a challenging task in itself.

Procedia Computer Science

"Getting to many of these places was a task in itself," Kadur said.

Harvard University

In 2015 getting to the mountains was a task in itself".

The Guardian - Sport

The music is a colossal enough task in itself, without these considerations".

The Guardian - Music

I had to pick and choose, which was a major task in itself".

Independent

Still, orchestrating this world of strange growling beasties, dizzying texts and sublime music is no small choreographic task in itself.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a time-consuming task in itself, but one that yields a great deal of relevant material.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Finding out exactly what the duties are is a task in itself.

The Guardian

Depending on the kind of application and question to be analysed, the processing of results may be a difficult and time-consuming task in itself.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or formal writing, follow "task in itself" with a brief explanation of what makes the task particularly challenging. This provides clarity and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "task in itself" too frequently in close proximity. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing the sentence to convey the same meaning in a different way.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "task in itself" functions as a qualifier, emphasizing the inherent complexity or demanding nature of a particular activity or undertaking. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase, suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

39%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "task in itself" is a versatile and commonly used expression to underscore the inherent complexity or demanding nature of an activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing.

When using "task in itself", remember to clarify the specific challenges involved to enhance its impact. While "task in itself" is a useful phrase, avoid overuse by varying your language with synonyms such as "challenge on its own", "complex undertaking", or "formidable endeavor". This ensures your writing remains engaging and precise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenge on its own

Replaces "task" with "challenge", emphasizing the difficulty.

complex undertaking

Directly focuses on the complex nature of what's being done.

undertaking in itself

Substitutes "task" with "undertaking", suggesting a more substantial project.

endeavor in its own right

Replaces "task" with "endeavor" and rephrases to "in its own right", highlighting independence and value.

project in itself

Uses "project" instead of "task", which implies a specific and planned activity.

matter of great complexity

Replaces the entire phrase, focusing on the "complexity" aspect.

significant undertaking

Highlights the significance and effort involved rather than the inherent isolated challenge.

formidable endeavor

Emphasizes that the "endeavor" is daunting and requires considerable effort.

substantial assignment

Focuses on the "assignment" being considerable and potentially difficult.

demanding activity

Highlights the demanding nature of the activity.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "task in itself" in a sentence?

Use "task in itself" to underscore the unexpected difficulty or complexity of an activity. For instance, "Managing a remote team is a "task in itself", requiring clear communication and trust".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "task in itself"?

You can use alternatives like "challenge on its own", "complex undertaking", or "formidable endeavor" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "task in itself" in writing?

It's suitable when you want to highlight that something is not as straightforward as it seems. For example, "Even sending a simple email can be a "task in itself" if you're dealing with technical issues".

Is "task in itself" considered formal or informal language?

"Task in itself" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, ensure that the surrounding language matches the intended tone. If you need a more formal tone, use instead alternatives such as "significant undertaking".