Set himself the task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Set himself the task" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which someone takes on a challenge or responsibility for themselves. For example: "Having graduated from college, Jim set himself the task of finding a job in his chosen field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Jeebleh has set himself the task to kill Caloosha.

The Guardian - Books

He set himself the task of reconquering from Poland Lithuania the Ukrainian possessions of his forefathers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pamuk set himself the task of identifying with the "Islamists - the devil in Turkey's westernised media.

The Guardian - Books

Jelon Vieira has bravely set himself the task of blending traditional and concert dance forms.

The New York Times - Arts

Sanghera set himself the task of learning about his sister's and father's illnesses in detail.

The Guardian

Filene has set himself the task of telling the stories' story.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Therefore, Mulla Sadra set himself the tasks of proving physical resurrection, spending much time discussing what was meant by the resurrection body (and indeed the body of the afterlife), the refutation of metempsychosis and affirming the reality of the afterlife.

SEP

For the book, Wilson willingly sets himself the task of humanising the object of his ire, and attempting to understand exactly what people see in her.

The Guardian - Music

With admirable arrogance, it is the question of being that Heidegger sets himself the task of inquiring into in Being and Time.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some people "won't hear a word against" Mandela, he writes, and so sets himself the task of finding all the "words against" he can.

The Guardian - Books

When he has trouble falling asleep at night, he sets himself the task of recalling entire baseball lineups from the 1950s.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set himself the task" to clearly indicate a deliberate and self-imposed undertaking. It adds a sense of purpose and intention to the action.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that obscure who initiated the task. "The task was set for him" changes the meaning and removes the element of personal initiative present in "he set himself the task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Set himself the task" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a task or undertaking by the subject. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It highlights the deliberate and self-imposed nature of the undertaking, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Set himself the task" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a deliberate, self-initiated undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it conveys intentionality and personal agency. When writing, use it to emphasize the proactive nature of an individual's decision to address a challenge, and be mindful of avoiding passive constructions that dilute the sense of personal initiative. Alternatives like "took it upon himself to" or "committed himself to" can provide nuanced emphasis. With a high expert rating, the phrase showcases consistent and authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Took it upon himself to

Focuses on personal initiative and assumption of responsibility.

Committed himself to

Emphasizes dedication and a firm decision.

Made it his mission to

Highlights the importance and personal investment in the task.

Made up his mind to

Highlights the decisiveness of the resolution and action toward something.

Undertook the responsibility of

Stresses the duty and burden associated with the task.

Embarked on a mission to

Implies a journey or a series of actions towards a specific goal.

Assigned himself the duty of

Formal and emphasizes obligation.

Chose to dedicate himself to

Highlights the personal choice and dedication involved.

Shouldered the responsibility to

Implies taking on a burden or obligation.

Resolved to

Focuses on a firm decision and determination.

FAQs

How can I use "Set himself the task" in a sentence?

Use "Set himself the task" to indicate that someone has voluntarily taken on a particular job or challenge. For example, "The scientist "set himself the task" of finding a cure for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "Set himself the task"?

Alternatives include "took it upon himself to", "committed himself to", or "made it his mission to depending" on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "Set himself the task" in formal writing?

Yes, "Set himself the task" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a clear and direct way to express that someone has taken on a challenge.

What is the difference between "Set himself the task" and "Was given the task"?

"Set himself the task" implies a voluntary action, where someone decides to take on a task. "Was given the task", on the other hand, indicates that the task was assigned by someone else, not self-initiated.