a greater task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a greater task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a task that is more significant or demanding than another task. Example: "Completing the project on time is a greater task than we initially anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Abroad a greater task is already evident: welding the new emerging powers to the West.

The Economist

The writer says he long believed it was his destiny to fight against "the doctor-killer abortionists," but that Mr. Hutton now had given him a greater task: to destroy "the doctor-killer who would murder the innocent child of the Holy Family," Philip Workman.

The New York Times

The Bangkok Post reported in October 2006 that Sonthi was grooming Anupong to be his successor by giving him responsibilities over coup logistics, a greater task than had been assigned to Saprang.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Today, our movement is faced with a great task.

The Guardian - Opinion

She said recently: "A great task lies before us in Durban.

The Guardian

"Roberto undertook a great task but he did not do it alone," Silvia stressed.

The Guardian

Tonight's victory is also the beginning of a great task.

The New York Times

In "Not of This World," it is sometimes a great task to get through the everyday.

The New York Times

It's not impossible on normal entry into the city, but with the backups with trucks still being stopped and searched, it's become a great task".

The New York Times - Sports

Lewis Silkin, the minister of town and country planning, wrote in his introduction to the New Towns Act 1946 that: "The building of a new town is not only a great task of physical construction, it is also a great adventure in social construction".

The Guardian - Books

"You don't obey your commander while performing a great task?" he asked, adding, "You, you conscript in the Egyptian military, you are performing a task for God Almighty!" Asked a series of questions about the speeches in an e-mail, Col. Ahmed Aly, a military spokesman, replied that the military held monthly "cultural meetings" about broad subjects, including religion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a greater task" when you want to emphasize that a particular task is more significant, challenging, or demanding than other tasks under consideration. It can add weight to the importance of the endeavor.

Common error

While "a greater task" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation or informal writing. Overuse can make your language sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "bigger job" or "tougher challenge" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a greater task" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies or describes a task that is of higher importance or difficulty. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is used to emphasize the scale or significance of an undertaking.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a greater task" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the significance or challenge associated with a particular undertaking. As indicated by Ludwig, while its usage is limited (rare), it frequently appears in news and media contexts. It's more suitable for formal or professional settings and should be used judiciously in informal settings. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage in written English, highlighting its role in conveying the magnitude or importance of a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more significant undertaking

Emphasizes the importance and scale of the task.

a more challenging assignment

Highlights the difficulty involved in completing the task.

a larger responsibility

Focuses on the burden and accountability associated with the task.

a more demanding endeavor

Stresses the effort and resources required.

a more formidable challenge

Suggests the task is difficult to overcome.

a more complex operation

Implies the task involves many intricate parts.

a weightier matter

Indicates the task is serious and consequential.

a higher priority objective

Puts emphasis on a goal that needs to be addressed before others.

a broader scope project

Focuses on the scale and reach of the task.

a more ambitious goal

Highlights the aspiration and reach of the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "a greater task" to emphasize the significance or difficulty of a particular assignment. For example, "Ensuring global access to clean water is "a greater task" than any one nation can handle alone."

What are some alternatives to "a greater task"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a more significant undertaking", "a more challenging assignment", or "a larger responsibility" as alternatives to "a greater task".

When is it appropriate to use "a greater task"?

It's appropriate to use "a greater task" when you want to highlight that one particular task is more important or complex than others, particularly in formal or professional contexts.

Is "a greater task" more formal than "a bigger task"?

Yes, "a greater task" generally carries a more formal and serious tone compared to "a bigger task", which is more informal and suitable for casual conversation.