was daunting enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was daunting enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or task that was sufficiently intimidating or challenging. Example: "The amount of work required for the project was daunting enough to make me reconsider my commitment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Just reading the line-up was daunting enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, Mr. Iskan's challenge was daunting enough before he came under fire for the car crash.

The New York Times

The task of beating the Warriors four times in seven games was daunting enough.

The Washington Post

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

The New Yorker

B3 SCIENCE TIMES F1-8 OUniverserse, One of Many Only a century ago a few billion stars and gas clouds smeared along the Milky Way were thought to encompass all of existence, and the notion of understanding it was daunting enough.

The New York Times

It was daunting enough to have to face 150 reporters, he says, but it was downright unnerving to know he would be followed by Jayson Williams, a former New Jersey Nets basketball player and owner of a New Jersey lacrosse franchise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The immediate future is daunting enough.

The New York Times - Sports

For many, cooking a meal for a family of four is daunting enough.

Princeton University

The vocal demands of the role in "Götterdämmerung," the concluding opera, are daunting enough.

The New York Times - Arts

These systems are daunting enough for adults, let alone vulnerable children and young people.

The Guardian

The measurement is daunting enough in the United States, but it quickly becomes nearly impossible in the developing world.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "daunting" with synonyms like "intimidating" or "challenging" to add nuance and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "was daunting enough" without providing sufficient context. Readers need to understand the specific reasons behind the challenge to fully appreciate the statement's significance. For example, instead of saying "The task was daunting enough", specify "The task of overhauling the entire IT infrastructure in one weekend was daunting enough".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was daunting enough" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase used to express that a particular situation, task, or prospect was already significantly challenging or intimidating. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was daunting enough" is a grammatically sound and effectively communicates that a situation was inherently challenging or intimidating. Based on the analysis by Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context to explain why something was "daunting". Alternatives such as "was sufficiently intimidating" or "was challenging enough" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use the phrase to express the significant difficulty or intimidation associated with a given situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was sufficiently intimidating

Replaces "daunting" with a synonym emphasizing the fear or apprehension induced.

was challenging enough

Substitutes "daunting" with "challenging", focusing on the difficulty rather than the intimidation.

presented a significant challenge

Changes the structure to highlight the act of posing a challenge rather than describing a state.

was quite a hurdle

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey the difficulty as an obstacle to overcome.

proved to be very difficult

Emphasizes the outcome of experiencing the difficulty.

was a considerable undertaking

Focuses on the scale and effort required for the task.

was more than enough to discourage

Shifts the focus to the discouraging effect of the challenge.

was a major test

Highlights the evaluative aspect of the challenging situation.

represented a steep learning curve

Emphasizes the rapid and demanding learning process involved.

was no easy feat

Uses an idiomatic expression to underscore the difficulty of the accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "was daunting enough" in a sentence?

Use "was daunting enough" to describe a situation that presented a significant challenge or felt overwhelming. For example: "The amount of paperwork required was daunting enough to make anyone reconsider applying."

What are some alternatives to "was daunting enough"?

You can use alternatives like "was sufficiently intimidating", "was challenging enough", or "presented a significant challenge" depending on the context.

What does it mean to say something "was daunting enough"?

It means that the task, situation, or prospect was already sufficiently challenging, intimidating, or overwhelming without any additional factors adding to the difficulty. It suggests that the inherent difficulty was considerable.

Is it better to use "daunting" or "challenging" in the phrase "was daunting/challenging enough"?

The choice between "daunting" and "challenging" depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. "Daunting" emphasizes the feeling of intimidation and potential discouragement, while "challenging" focuses more on the difficulty and the need for effort and skill. Use "daunting" if you want to highlight the feeling of being overwhelmed, and use "challenging" if you want to emphasize the effort required.