a routine task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a routine task" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a task or activity that is done regularly or frequently, often with little variation or excitement. Example: "Every morning, Sarah's routine tasks include making her bed, taking a shower, and preparing breakfast before heading to work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

A routine task, he said.

The New York Times

It was a routine task.

The New York Times

Runaway Escalator It was a routine task.

The New York Times

Ab initio protein structure predictions, still being far from a routine task, have become feasible.

Polymer

He spoke about the mission as if it was a routine task and remained utterly emotionless.

Independent

Whilst medication administration is a routine task, it is a complex nursing activity.

Nurse Education in Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Changing the approach to nursing home care is a complex undertaking that often requires a shift from a routine task-oriented day to more holistic and flexible care centred on quality of life [ 47].

BMC Geriatrics

This has the benefit of reducing the client burden on busy nurses and midwives, allowing them to better use their specialized clinical skills, while allowing a lower cadre to perform a more routine task.

Global health, science and practice

It is the prefrontal cortex that gets in the way of executing a practiced routine task by essentially overthinking it.

The New York Times

Once we worked out the design, pricing, and quantities we wanted, it became a pretty routine task to reorder the bags when we needed them.

The New York Times

Information dissemination over the electronic network is a basic routine task.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a task as "a routine task", ensure the context clearly establishes its repetitive or standardized nature. This helps avoid ambiguity and reinforces the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a routine task" to describe something that involves significant skill or problem-solving. This can undermine the expertise required and misrepresent the nature of the work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a routine task" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies a specific type of activity characterized by its repetitive and undemanding nature, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a routine task" is widely used to describe activities characterized by their repetitive, predictable, and often undemanding nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and common in English writing. It functions as a noun phrase and serves to classify activities, emphasizing their typical and often uneventful aspects. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, from News & Media to Science. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly reflects the task's repetitive nature to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a standard procedure

Focuses on the standardized nature of the task.

a common activity

Emphasizes the frequency and ordinariness of the activity.

a typical operation

Highlights the conventional and expected nature of the task.

a regular duty

Stresses the obligatory aspect of the task being performed at set intervals.

an everyday chore

Underscores the mundane and commonplace nature of the task.

a normal undertaking

Focuses on the task as being within the realm of expected activities.

a familiar process

Highlights that the process involved is well-known and established.

a simple assignment

Highlights the easy and straightforward nature of the task.

a habitual practice

Emphasizes the repetitive and ingrained nature of the task.

an ordinary job

Focuses on the common and unremarkable aspects of the job.

FAQs

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

You can use "a routine task" to describe activities that are performed regularly and require minimal effort or thought. For example, "Data entry is "a routine task" for many office workers".

What are some alternatives to "a routine task"?

Depending on the specific context, you can use phrases like "a standard procedure", "a common activity", or "a typical operation" instead of "a routine task".

Is it appropriate to describe all jobs as "a routine task"?

No, describing all jobs as "a routine task" is not appropriate. This phrase is best suited for tasks that are repetitive and require little variation. More complex or dynamic roles should be described using different terms.

What's the difference between "a routine task" and "a challenging task"?

"A routine task" implies predictability and ease, whereas "a challenging task" suggests complexity and the need for significant effort or skill. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of task difficulty.