a little task

USAGE SUMMARY

'a little task' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever you want to refer to a task that is not very difficult or time consuming. For example: She was given a little task to finish before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Well, even to calculate its critical points would be a little task, but we can easily answer the question as to whether it has limit cycles or not by Bendixson's criterion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At the history's core is Clois Herndon, 75, who was just shy of 30 when the lawyer John Ruffin Jr., a civil rights activist, told him, "I need you to go on a little task for us".

The New York Times - Sports

As days pass you start to be sad for no reason, you cry for no reason, then a little task becomes too much to handle.

Huffington Post

This was, of course, not the first time I was asked for a tent, but since the crisis began or ever since I joined the team to help, the context of my work had been changing so much on a daily basis that it made a little task like obtaining a popup tent for a family a question of balance between priority and resources.

Huffington Post

You have a little task to adjust the privacy setting of your Twitter account with the TweetDeck application.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Tear the skin and peel it back - a surprisingly satisfying little task - then slice the kidney in two and snip out the thick, white membrane and fatty gristle from its centre.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That lets me focus on what needs doing today, but also gives me a place to dump every little task I think of that needs doing sometime.

Huffington Post

If you're truly independent, then you won't need a buddy to accomplish every little task or to do any fun activity.

WikiHow

So it's a little tougher task". Teemu Selanne, 41, has seen just about everything in his storied NHL career.

Los Angeles Times

On completing this little task, it is definitely time to wave for the check.

The New York Times - Food

Now Bader had one more little task -- getting money.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of tasks, use "a little task" to highlight one that is particularly straightforward or requires less effort than the others.

Common error

Avoid using "a little task" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound condescending or dismissive. Vary your language with synonyms like "a simple task" or "a minor job" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little task" functions as a noun phrase, where "little" modifies the noun "task". It serves to describe a specific type of task that is small in scope and requires minimal effort. Ludwig confirms its usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a little task" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a task that is not difficult or time-consuming. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, though primarily in news, media, wiki, and academic environments. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of your writing and choose synonyms like "a simple task" in more formal situations. The key takeaway is to use "a little task" when you want to convey ease and simplicity, but be mindful of sounding dismissive or condescending by overusing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor job

Replaces "task" with "job" and "little" with "minor", indicating a similar level of simplicity and size.

a small assignment

Substitutes "task" with "assignment", implying a task that is given or assigned, while "small" conveys the limited scope.

an easy chore

Replaces "task" with "chore", suggesting a routine or simple activity, and "little" with "easy", emphasizing the lack of difficulty.

a simple undertaking

Replaces "task" with "undertaking", referring to something that is attempted or embarked upon, while "simple" indicates its straightforward nature.

a light duty

Substitutes "task" with "duty", which denotes a responsibility or obligation, and "little" with "light", highlighting the minimal effort required.

a trivial matter

Replaces "task" with "matter", indicating something that needs to be dealt with, and "little" with "trivial", underscoring its insignificance.

a quick errand

Replaces "task" with "errand", referring to a short trip to accomplish something, and "little" with "quick", emphasizing the short amount of time required.

a manageable activity

Substitutes "task" with "activity", denoting a thing that is done, while "manageable" indicates that it's easy to control or deal with.

a minimal effort

Replaces the entire phrase with emphasis on the low effort required, focusing less on the nature of the task itself.

a piece of cake

An idiomatic expression that means a task is very easy to accomplish. This is less literal than the original phrase.

FAQs

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

You can use "a little task" to describe something easy to accomplish, such as: "Completing this form is "a little task" compared to the rest of the application process".

What are some synonyms for "a little task"?

Alternatives to "a little task" include phrases such as "a minor job", "a small assignment", or "an easy chore", each conveying a similar sense of simplicity.

Is it appropriate to use "a little task" in formal writing?

While "a little task" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "a simple undertaking" or "a light duty" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "a little task" and "a big task"?

"A little task" refers to something that is quick and easy to complete, whereas "a big task" implies something that requires significant time and effort. They are opposites in terms of workload.