unusual undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

"unusual undertaking" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a task or project that is atypical or out of the ordinary. Example: "Starting a community garden in the city was an unusual undertaking for the residents." Alternative expressions include "extraordinary endeavor" and "unique project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The only recourse was to try to reformulate the drug so that patients could absorb a higher dose, an unusual undertaking at this stage in testing.

The New York Times - Health

The complex problem for the designer was to extract two figures from one marble block, an unusual undertaking in all periods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Motion's "Wainewright the Poisoner" is an ambitious and unusual undertaking, a scrupulously factual fiction that puts Waine wright's story into an imagined confession.

The New York Times - Books

But this was an unusual undertaking for an elementary school, and when the city decided in January to replace existing school districts with larger jurisdictions known as regions, the committee was less sure how to proceed.

The New York Times

It was an unusual undertaking, the creation of an American acting company by an English director, and it was, to judge from critical response to its productions, a semi-success.

The New York Times

He travelled to Changsha, the remote capital of Hunan province — an unusual undertaking for an American in those early days of the Communist thaw — to teach English at a medical college and, more to the point, to study Chinese martial arts at their very headwaters.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Other unusual tasks undertaken by the vessel included transporting 800 native New Guineans from Aitape, Madang, Torokina and Wewak to a dispersal centre located in Rabaul and moving 44 tanks from Torokina to Sydney.

Wikipedia

Stevenson has said in an interview that the third volume of this supposedly "historical" trilogy will be set in our own century, making it clear that "The Shadow King" is a linking volume in an unusual literary undertaking that will best be judged when we have all three novels in hand.

The New York Times - Books

Plus, Redner runs a very specific business -- the Mons Venus strip club -- and that's a pretty unusual entrepreneurial undertaking.

Huffington Post

The New York City medical examiner's office is undertaking an unusual review of more than 800 rape cases in which critical DNA evidence may have been mishandled or overlooked by a lab technician, resulting in incorrect reports being given to criminal investigators.

The New York Times

Undertaking an unusual poll-cum-pledge-drive among theatergoers, the producers of the Broadway musical "The Scottsboro Boys," which closed on Sunday because of weak ticket sales, are asking fans and others to commit on the show's Web site to buying $99 tickets if the musical were to reopen on Broadway this spring.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unusual undertaking" to describe projects that diverge from standard practices or present unique challenges. For instance, "Launching a startup during a recession is an "unusual undertaking"".

Common error

While "unusual undertaking" is appropriate in certain contexts, avoid using it excessively. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by incorporating synonyms like "extraordinary project" or "remarkable endeavor."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unusual undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "unusual" modifies the noun "undertaking". It describes something atypical and uncommon, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unusual undertaking" is a phrase used to describe projects or tasks that are out of the ordinary. Grammatically sound and commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedia and Wiki sources, it serves to highlight the unique and atypical nature of an endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, suggesting that while it is a correct and usable phrase, writers should avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms like "extraordinary project" or "remarkable endeavor" to maintain writing impact. The phrase fits well within a neutral to formal register, suitable for various professional and journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extraordinary project

Emphasizes the exceptional nature of the project.

exceptional task

Emphasizes the high quality or unusualness of the task.

remarkable endeavor

Highlights the noteworthiness of the effort involved.

atypical venture

Focuses on the unconventional aspect of the business endeavor.

unique enterprise

Stresses the distinctiveness of the pursuit.

uncommon activity

Highlights the infrequency of the action.

singular effort

Underscores the individual and distinct nature of the attempt.

novel pursuit

Emphasizes the new and innovative aspect of the chase or quest.

peculiar task

Highlights the strangeness or oddness of the assignment.

uncharacteristic mission

Focuses on how the mission deviates from the norm.

FAQs

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

You can use "unusual undertaking" to describe a project or task that is not typical or ordinary. For example, "The construction of the underwater tunnel was an "unusual undertaking" for the engineering company".

What are some synonyms for "unusual undertaking"?

Some synonyms for "unusual undertaking" include "extraordinary project", "remarkable endeavor", or "atypical venture".

Is "unusual undertaking" formal or informal?

"Unusual undertaking" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase suitable for a variety of contexts, including news articles, academic papers, and professional communications.

What makes an undertaking "unusual"?

An undertaking is considered "unusual" when it deviates from the norm, presents unique challenges, or requires unconventional methods or resources. It's something that is not commonly done or encountered.