a key task

USAGE SUMMARY

"a key task" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is important and needs to be done. For example, "Writing detailed reports is a key task in this position."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A key task is defining a community's domain.

Harvard Business Review

Ensuring enough personnel are on duty is a key task for Wilson.

The Guardian

How to pay for the ambitious post-2015 agenda is a key task ahead.

The Guardian

By contrast, buying books or papers isn't a key task on a tablet.

The Guardian

This evaluation is, at present, a key task to enable future exploitation of these structures.

Composites Part B: Engineering

A key task was convincing parents the IGCSE was a valid qualification.

The Guardian

A key task is to rebuild morale and demonstrate a new model of leadership for BP.

Harvard Business Review

But getting Superman's return right will be a key task for the movie's sequel.

The Guardian - Film

It goes without saying that managing people is a key task for any company.

Harvard Business Review

A key task would be to bring members of Mrs. Clinton's team into the fold if she leaves the race.

The New York Times

Jargon is insider knowledge – indeed, picking up the office lingo is a key task when people start a new job.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key task", ensure the context clearly establishes the importance and relevance of the task to the overall goal or objective.

Common error

Avoid using "a key task" for trivial or routine activities; reserve it for actions genuinely crucial to success or progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key task" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific activity or responsibility that is of significant importance. It is often used to emphasize the criticality of a particular action within a broader context, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key task" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business settings, the phrase highlights essential actions needed to achieve goals. When writing, reserve "a key task" for genuinely critical activities to avoid diluting its impact. Consider alternatives like "a crucial undertaking" or "a vital responsibility" to fine-tune the tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a crucial undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking" and "key" with "crucial", emphasizing the significance of the activity.

a vital responsibility

Substitutes "task" with "responsibility" and "key" with "vital", highlighting the obligatory nature of the activity.

an essential duty

Replaces "task" with "duty" and "key" with "essential", focusing on the required nature of the activity.

a primary objective

Substitutes "task" with "objective" and "key" with "primary", emphasizing the goal-oriented nature of the activity.

a significant endeavor

Replaces "task" with "endeavor" and "key" with "significant", suggesting a more substantial effort.

a critical assignment

Substitutes "task" with "assignment" and "key" with "critical", highlighting the importance and urgency of the activity.

an important function

Replaces "task" with "function" and "key" with "important", emphasizing the role or purpose of the activity.

a central element

Replaces "task" with "element" and "key" with "central", focusing on the integral nature of the activity.

a major priority

Replaces "task" with "priority" and "key" with "major", emphasizing the importance and ranking of the activity.

a fundamental requirement

Substitutes "task" with "requirement" and "key" with "fundamental", highlighting the necessity of the activity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a key task" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "a crucial undertaking", "a vital responsibility", or "an essential duty". These options, like "a crucial undertaking", emphasize the importance of the task in a professional setting.

What are some synonyms for "a key task" that still convey importance?

Synonyms that maintain a similar level of importance include "a primary objective", "a significant endeavor", or "a critical assignment". Choose the one that best fits the specific context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "a key task"?

The phrase "a key task" is appropriate when describing an activity that is essential for achieving a specific goal or objective, especially in professional, academic, or strategic contexts. It highlights the importance of the task at hand.

What is the difference between "a key task" and "an important task"?

While both phrases indicate significance, "a key task" suggests a higher level of criticality and necessity compared to "an important task". "Key" implies that the task is fundamental to success, whereas "important" simply means it is of considerable value.