a minor task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a task that is relatively small or of little importance compared to other tasks. Example: "Completing the report is a major priority, but organizing the files is just a minor task that can be done later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

So it would have seemed that residents at one pet-loving high-rise on East 56th Street had been blessed with a minor task: choosing a building name.

The New York Times

"It's not a minor task.

BBC

A novel bilateral haptic teleoperation approach (multi-master single-slave) is proposed for a hexapod robot in which the first master control the primary task of the slave, e.g. the linear/steering motion; meanwhile, the second master can perform a minor task, e.g. to interact with the environment by leg.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

I struggled to think straight and even deal with a minor task like counting money.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was an easy and no doubt gratifying minor task for Streicher to deprive him of it.

The New Yorker

To examine whether this absent benefit reflected a suppressive effect of emotionality on associations of minor task relevance, in Study 2 we manipulated the relevance of the picture-frame color association by combining it with information about monetary reward, following otherwise comparable procedures.

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

And each year, the Indiana coaching staff gave him a little more to do, either charting plays or helping with practice drills or some other minor task.

The New York Times

Every minor task or training exercise must be met with absolute enthusiasm, as if motivation were something that could be turned on or off at will.

The Guardian - Opinion

After this minor task, you'll be granted unique powers and can start building an army of minions to do the fighting for you.

TechCrunch

I tried to think about this as I put my shoes on: Am I seeking acknowledgment for this minor task?

Huffington Post

Once the IGC is out of the way and the single currency is established - no minor task I admit - the debate in Europe is going to move into an area of philosophy, culture and ethics.

EU Parlament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of tasks, use "a minor task" to differentiate between less important activities and major responsibilities. This helps in prioritizing tasks and managing expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor task" when the activity actually requires significant effort or has important consequences. This can lead to miscommunication and underestimation of the work involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor task" functions as a noun phrase, where "minor" modifies the noun "task". Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is grammatically sound. It typically serves to identify and categorize a specific action or piece of work as being of lesser importance or complexity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor task" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that denotes an activity of low importance or complexity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is typically employed to de-emphasize significance or effort. While suitable for various contexts, including formal writing, it is essential to avoid overstating or understating the actual requirements of the task. Related phrases include "a small undertaking", "a trivial job", and "a simple assignment". This phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small undertaking

Replaces 'task' with 'undertaking', emphasizing the action's diminutive nature.

a trivial job

Substitutes 'task' with 'job', highlighting the insignificance of the work.

an insignificant chore

Emphasizes the routine and unimportant nature of the activity.

a simple assignment

Replaces 'task' with 'assignment', denoting a basic and undemanding piece of work.

a light duty

Indicates the ease and lack of burden associated with the task.

a secondary responsibility

Highlights the lower priority and importance compared to other duties.

a negligible activity

Stresses the almost non-existent impact or consequence of the activity.

a menial task

Highlights the low skill and prestige associated with the activity.

an easy chore

Focuses on how effortless the task is to complete.

a routine activity

Emphasizes the repetitiveness and lack of complexity in the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor task" to describe something that is easy or not very important, for example: "Completing the form was "a minor task" compared to the research required for the project."

What are some alternatives to "a minor task"?

Alternatives include "a small undertaking", "a trivial job", or "a simple assignment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a minor task" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure the tone aligns with the context. In some cases, a more specific term might be preferable for clarity.

What's the difference between "a minor task" and "a simple task"?

While both indicate ease, "a minor task" often implies less significance or impact, whereas "a simple task" focuses on the lack of complexity. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the task's importance or its difficulty.