tough undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tough undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or project that is challenging or difficult to accomplish. Example: "Starting a new business can be a tough undertaking, requiring significant time and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Triplets can be a tough undertaking for any first-time parent.

The New York Times

The team co-owner Dennis Reinbold said: "It's a tough undertaking, but they had capable people who knew what they were doing and could pull it off.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's more like live-in writing, since each man settled in the community he portrays, a tougher undertaking than the dispatch of an itinerant scribbler.

The Guardian - Books

And while conservatives may say that the rising age of women having children is a new social problem to be concerned with, the reality is that everybody – teenage girls included – is coming to the realisation that having children can be a tough and unpredictable undertaking.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Mayer said that the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the Greek government might well continue to insist that, given time, the tough economic restructuring undertaken by Greece will succeed and allow the country to pay off its debts.

The New York Times

Wilson was certainly tough enough to undertake a round trip of more than 200km in temperatures that frequently fell below -70C with little more than moonlight to guide them, but even he cannot have anticipated just how hard it would be.

The Guardian

Part of the murkiness of the Schwarz case lies with the nature of the jury system in which 12 ordinary people undertake the tough task of coming to a conclusion about extraordinary events.

The New York Times

Ms. Chao undertook a tough reorganization, which included cutting her salary to half that of Mr. Aramony's, cutting the administrative budget by 30percentt and laying off a third of the staff.

The New York Times

Ms. Wylde said she hoped the program would have a snowball effect, in that if more teachers choose to stay, "you'll begin to get a critical mass of professionals who feel that it is worth undertaking the toughest challenges, because the world is watching, the world is acknowledging and the world is rewarding you for doing it".

The New York Times

Avellaneda undertook the tough actions needed to get the debt under control.

Wikipedia

SAN FRANCISCO — It is difficult to imagine a tougher place to undertake a major redevelopment than the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or initiative, use "tough undertaking" to emphasize the significant effort and resilience required for success.

Common error

Avoid using "tough undertaking" in very informal situations; simpler terms like "difficult job" or "hard task" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tough undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "tough" is an adjective modifying the noun "undertaking". It describes a project, task, or endeavor characterized by difficulty and the need for significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tough undertaking" is a valid and usable phrase in written English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase to describe a project or task that requires significant effort and determination. While it's generally considered neutral to slightly formal and primarily found in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, it's best to avoid it in extremely casual settings. Alternatives like "difficult endeavor" or "challenging task" may be more appropriate in those cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", suggesting a serious attempt or effort.

challenging task

Substitutes "tough" with "challenging" and "undertaking" with "task", focusing on the stimulating nature of the difficulty.

arduous task

Uses "arduous" instead of "tough", implying a labor-intensive and tiring challenge.

demanding project

Replaces "undertaking" with "project", framing it as a planned and managed effort that requires significant resources.

formidable challenge

Emphasizes the intimidating and overwhelming nature of the undertaking.

complex operation

Frames the undertaking as a series of interconnected actions, emphasizing the intricacy involved.

laborious effort

Highlights the need for sustained and often tiring work.

strenuous activity

Implies a need for physical or mental exertion to complete the undertaking.

trying experience

Focuses on the potentially stressful and testing nature of the undertaking.

Herculean task

This alludes to the twelve labors of Hercules, suggesting an extremely difficult and demanding undertaking.

FAQs

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

You can use "tough undertaking" to describe any task or project that requires significant effort and determination. For example, "Starting a business is a "tough undertaking"."

What are some alternatives to "tough undertaking"?

Alternatives include "difficult endeavor", "challenging task", or "arduous task". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "tough undertaking" formal or informal?

"Tough undertaking" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for news articles, business reports, and academic papers.

What makes "tough undertaking" different from "simple task"?

"Tough undertaking" suggests a complex and demanding project, while "simple task" implies something easy and straightforward. The choice depends on the actual nature of the activity.