very difficult task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very difficult task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that requires significant effort, skill, or time to complete. Example: "Completing the project on time was a very difficult task, but we managed to pull it off."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a very difficult task.

Cornell University

It's a very difficult task, in fact.

Cornell University

In sum, a very difficult task.

The New York Times

It is a very difficult task.

International Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping

The new civilian president has a very difficult task ahead.

Stanford University

The probability task is a very difficult task.

Cornell University

Too many wish to oversimplify a very difficult task.

The New York Times

"It is a very difficult task," Mr. Salad said.

The New York Times

That turns out to be a very difficult task.

The New York Times

Until now, that's been a very difficult task.

MIT Technology Review

"It's a very difficult task," Mr. Maksoud said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "very difficult task", provide specific details about what makes it so challenging. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the difficulty of a task without sufficient justification. Ensure the described challenges align with the actual requirements and complexities involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very difficult task" functions as a noun phrase, where "very difficult" is an adjectival modifier describing the noun "task". It serves to emphasize the high level of challenge associated with a particular activity or undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very difficult task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe activities demanding significant effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered perfectly valid for use. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, although formal settings may benefit from more sophisticated synonyms such as ""extremely challenging endeavor"" or ""highly demanding undertaking"". When using this phrase, provide specific details to enhance clarity. Avoid overstating the difficulty without justification. The phrase appears commonly in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely tough challenge

Replaces 'difficult' with 'tough' and 'task' with 'challenge', both indicating resilience is required.

extremely challenging endeavor

Replaces 'difficult' with 'challenging' and 'task' with 'endeavor', both indicating a high degree of difficulty but with a slightly more positive connotation.

highly demanding undertaking

Substitutes 'difficult' with 'demanding' and 'task' with 'undertaking', emphasizing the effort and requirements involved.

unusually taxing endeavor

This alternative replaces 'difficult' with 'taxing' and 'task' with 'endeavor', emphasizing the demanding nature of the task.

considerably arduous assignment

Replaces 'difficult' with 'arduous' and 'task' with 'assignment', highlighting the strenuous and laborious nature of the task.

exceptionally intricate operation

Uses 'intricate' instead of 'difficult' and 'operation' instead of 'task', suggesting complexity and precision.

remarkably complex activity

Emphasizes the complexity rather than the difficulty, using 'complex' instead of 'difficult' and 'activity' for 'task'.

particularly troublesome matter

Shifts the focus to the problems caused by the task using 'troublesome' instead of 'difficult' and 'matter' for 'task'.

notoriously problematic job

Indicates the task is known for its difficulties, using 'problematic' and 'job'.

seriously taxing responsibility

Focuses on the burden the task creates using 'taxing' and 'responsibility'.

FAQs

How can I use "very difficult task" in a sentence?

You can use "very difficult task" to describe something that requires significant effort and skill. For example, "Completing this project on time was a "very difficult task", but we succeeded".

What are some alternatives to saying "very difficult task"?

Alternatives include "extremely challenging endeavor", "highly demanding undertaking", or "considerably arduous assignment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "very difficult task" formal or informal?

"Very difficult task" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, you might consider using a more sophisticated synonym like "exceptionally intricate operation".

What makes something qualify as a "very difficult task"?

A "very difficult task" typically involves multiple complex steps, requires specialized knowledge or skills, and presents significant obstacles to successful completion.