a plum assignment

USAGE SUMMARY

'a plum assignment' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It is typically used to express that the assignment or task is interesting and desirable. For example, "I was so pleased to receive a plum assignment to lead the project team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

This was a plum assignment, even if it was high-hanging fruit for a hockey novice.

The New York Times

Elisabeth was a plum assignment for the admirable and underappreciated American soprano Patricia Racette.

The New York Times - Arts

If Jack were a kindergartner, being a junior janitor helper might be a plum assignment.

The New York Times - Books

First, the vice-president, even though it is not a Plum assignment.

The Guardian

That is, until he lands a plum assignment to interview Thierry Grimandi (Eric Cantona), France's high priest of cinematic romance.

The New York Times

But he admitted that recording the newly captured Mr. Hussein was a plum assignment, with recognition attached.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Even before the series ran, from late July through early August, it was the subject of complaints from Le Monde journalists, who issued a news release to protest the decision by Mr. Izraelewicz to give the plum assignment to a reporter at La Tribune, a business newspaper that he previously edited.

The New York Times

In the storyline where Elizabeth chose marriage and children, she is still handed the plum assignment of a lifetime: the remodeling of a new Penn Station.

Huffington Post

Donnagan Giggles (Mr. Judge), father of Gary and Gerti, is appointed O.S.S. director, which means that his kids get the plum assignment: retrieving a gizmo that could shut down the world's technology.

The New York Times

Rubio, as a senate freshman, is unlikely to gain a plum committee assignment, unless the GOP takes over.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a plum volunteer assignment, one that several of the catchers have been doing for more than a decade.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a plum assignment" when you want to emphasize that a task or project is not only assigned but is also particularly desirable and advantageous. It adds a touch of positive connotation to the description.

Common error

While "a plum assignment" is a useful expression, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "coveted task" or "choice opportunity" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a plum assignment" functions as a noun phrase, where "plum" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "assignment". It describes the assignment's desirable quality, consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a plum assignment" is a frequently used and grammatically sound phrase that signifies a particularly desirable task or project. As highlighted by Ludwig, this expression is commonly found in news and business contexts. While it effectively conveys the advantageous nature of an assignment, varying your language with synonyms like "coveted task" or "choice opportunity" can enhance your writing style. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is a useful addition to one's vocabulary for describing favorable opportunities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a coveted task

Replaces "assignment" with "task" and "plum" with "coveted" emphasizing the desirability of the task.

a choice opportunity

Substitutes "assignment" with "opportunity" and "plum" with "choice", highlighting the advantageous nature of the chance.

a prime position

Replaces "assignment" with "position" and "plum" with "prime", focusing on the advantageous standing the assignment provides.

a golden opportunity

Uses the common idiom "golden opportunity" to convey the exceptional value of the assignment.

a privileged role

Emphasizes the exclusive and advantageous nature of the assigned role.

a top-tier project

Focuses on the project itself being of high quality and importance.

a fantastic undertaking

Highlights the positive and impressive nature of the assignment.

a favored mission

Implies that the assignment is preferred or specially selected.

a worthwhile endeavor

Stresses the value and benefit derived from the assignment.

a desirable commission

Replaces "assignment" with "commission", implying a formal and sought-after task.

FAQs

What does "a plum assignment" mean?

The expression "a plum assignment" refers to a task or project that is highly desirable and advantageous. It suggests that the assignment is not only important but also beneficial or enjoyable for the person undertaking it.

What can I say instead of "a plum assignment"?

You can use alternatives like "a coveted task", "a choice opportunity", or "a prime position" depending on the context.

Is "a plum assignment" formal or informal?

"A plum assignment" leans towards the neutral side, fitting well in news articles and business communications. However, more formal synonyms, such as "a desirable commission", might be preferable in highly formal settings.

How can I use "a plum assignment" in a sentence?

You can say, "Landing the lead role in the new play was "a plum assignment" for the young actor", or, "The company considered managing the marketing campaign for the new product "a plum assignment"".