this is daunting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is daunting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express feelings of intimidation or overwhelm regarding a task or situation. Example: "Looking at the amount of work I have to do before the deadline, I must admit, this is daunting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I wonder if this is daunting; Rose wrote a few bestselling cookbooks (with Ruth Rogers) herself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since the Republicans probably have more in their pockets, this is daunting for a Democrat in a state where Mr Bush won handily two years ago.

The Economist

In Britain, which counted on taxes from financial assets and property, the primary deficit is still likely to be above 3% of GDP in 2014, one of the highest among the world's big rich economies.All this is daunting enough.

The Economist

There is no question that 15 or 16 years ago, you put me on the 18th tee of one of these with an opportunity to win it would be like: 'This is daunting.' Now I want to do that.

The Guardian - Sport

The violence now is probably worse than at any time since the 1960s, and the dreadful civil war when Biafra, the south-east of the country dominated by the Ibo ethnic group, tried to secede.All of this is daunting for those, like Mr Blair, who would like to see Africa enter a virtuous cycle of peace and relative prosperity.

The Economist

This is daunting for a first-time author because I have no way of guaranteeing an audience.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The implications of this are daunting.

The Economist

"Every complicated film is daunting, but this was daunting in a different way," he said by telephone from Los Angeles.

The New York Times

This was daunting enough, but de Waart also wanted a "choral symphony," something not even remotely in my repertoire.

The New Yorker

This was daunting at first, and I had some major missteps.

HuffPost

Given that each second of on-screen action involves 24 different frames, and possibly 24 separate character movements, the amount of painstaking planning and grinding work involved in this was daunting.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is daunting" when you want to express that something appears difficult, challenging, or potentially overwhelming. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid relying on "this is daunting" as a generic response to challenges. Instead, describe the specific aspects that make the situation daunting (e.g., "The sheer volume of data is daunting," rather than just, "This is daunting").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is daunting" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a personal feeling of intimidation or apprehension towards a specific situation or task. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is daunting" effectively communicates a sense of being challenged or overwhelmed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While suitable for various contexts, it's essential to use it judiciously and specify what exactly feels daunting to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "this is intimidating" or "this is overwhelming" can offer nuanced expressions of similar feelings. The phrase sees frequent use across News & Media and Science. By understanding its function, purpose, and common errors, writers can confidently and effectively incorporate "this is daunting" into their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is intimidating

Emphasizes the feeling of being made timid or fearful; highlights the power or size of what's causing the feeling.

this is overwhelming

Focuses on the feeling of being burdened by too much to handle at once.

this is challenging

Highlights the difficulty and the need for effort to overcome the task or situation.

this is formidable

Suggests something that inspires respect and perhaps fear due to its size or strength.

this is unnerving

Highlights the feeling of anxiety or nervousness that the situation provokes.

this is disconcerting

Implies a sense of confusion and unease.

this is tough

A more casual way of saying something is difficult.

this is arduous

Emphasizes the laboriousness and prolonged effort required.

this is exacting

Stresses the need for precision and accuracy, making it demanding.

this is trying

Highlights the testing nature of the situation, especially emotionally or mentally.

FAQs

How can I use "this is daunting" in a sentence?

You can use "this is daunting" to express a feeling of intimidation or being overwhelmed by a task, challenge, or situation. For example, "The prospect of public speaking is daunting" or "The amount of information to process is daunting".

What can I say instead of "this is daunting"?

You can use alternatives like "this is intimidating", "this is overwhelming", or "this is challenging" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "this is daunting"?

It is appropriate to use "this is daunting" when you want to convey that something presents a significant challenge or obstacle, causing a feeling of being overwhelmed or discouraged. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings.

Which is more impactful: "this is daunting" or "this is difficult"?

"This is daunting" carries a stronger emotional weight than "this is difficult". "Daunting" suggests a feeling of being overwhelmed or intimidated, while "difficult" simply implies that something requires effort and skill.