a central task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a central task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a primary or essential activity or responsibility within a particular context or project. Example: "In our project, developing a user-friendly interface is a central task that we must prioritize."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Patricia Hewitt, the trade and industry secretary, says that innovation and technology transfer are a central task for her department.

The Economist

A central task of management is to reach the organization's goals by motivating individual workers and coordinating their diverse efforts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, a central task of the philosophy of mathematics is to construct a semantic theory for the language of mathematics.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Protecting children from intentional injury is a central task of pediatricians, he said, and "bullying prevention is a subset of that activity".

The New York Times - Health

But it can be argued that positively promoting greenery is not a central task for the institution; it already tries to avoid projects that harm the ecosystem.

The Economist

In poems like this, and in her finest descriptions (as when a newborn's "clear vowels rise like balloons"), Plath makes strange what should be familiar — which is, after all, a central task of poetry.

The New York Times - Books

The best leaders, Jim Collins says, worry most about the business, not themselves, and regard as a central task handing on a healthy organisation with a strong new leadership team.

The Guardian - Opinion

Vladica Mircic, the student whose T-shirt bearing the word "Changes" proved so provocative in Vladicin Han, thinks a central task for Otpor now is "to get rid of Serbia's cult of leaders and messiahs.

The New York Times - Magazine

The agenda is clear: legal checks and balances must be strengthened; the fight for social justice and equal opportunity must become a central task of government; competing politicians must tone down the rhetoric and actually talk to one another.

The New York Times

In such cases, providing financial support to component suppliers is a central task of innovation networks.

Research Policy

The analysis of structure-activity relationships (SAR) is a central task in medicinal chemistry.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a central task" when you want to emphasize that a particular activity is essential and crucial for achieving a broader goal.

Common error

While "a central task" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main job" or "key thing" in less formal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central task" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an appositive, defining or describing a primary responsibility or activity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in identifying essential functions in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a central task" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to highlight a primary or essential activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedic content. While versatile, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. When writing, use "a central task" to emphasize the importance of a specific activity in achieving a broader goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key responsibility

Replaces 'central' with 'key', emphasizing importance.

a primary duty

Substitutes 'task' with 'duty', highlighting obligation.

a main objective

Uses 'objective' instead of 'task', focusing on goals.

a core function

Replaces 'central task' with 'core function', emphasizing essential operations.

a critical mission

Emphasizes the importance and urgency of the task.

an essential element

Shifts focus to the role of the task as a necessary component.

a focal point

Changes the metaphor to one of focus or concentration.

a significant undertaking

Highlights the effort and scale involved in the task.

the main thrust

Uses a more dynamic term, suggesting the principal direction of effort.

a prime concern

Focuses on the aspect of worry or importance related to the task.

FAQs

How can I use "a central task" in a sentence?

You can use "a central task" to describe a primary or essential activity. For example: "Ensuring customer satisfaction is "a central task" for our customer service team."

What are some alternatives to "a central task"?

Alternatives include "a key responsibility", "a primary duty", or "a main objective", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a central task" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a central task" may sound too formal in casual writing. Consider using simpler phrases like "main job" or "key thing" for a more relaxed tone.

What makes a task "central"?

A "central task" is one that is crucial and essential to the success of a project, goal, or operation. It often involves core activities that directly impact overall outcomes.