a secondary task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a secondary task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a task that is of lesser importance or priority compared to a primary task. Example: "While completing the main project, I also need to address a secondary task that involves updating the documentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And this leaves a secondary task on the plate of the bowling coach.

The Guardian - Sport

Like envoys, they had a secondary task of gathering information, but their primary responsibility was trade.

Britannica

Tests I and II were performed together with a secondary task.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

In particular, proper interaction with other road users suffered when the driver had a secondary task.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

The presence of a secondary task resulted in a global impairment of memory function.

Appetite

The drivers were fully distracted by a secondary task, a challenging quiz game on a mobile phone.

Procedia Manufacturing

A primary task of preventing tanks from overfilling as well as a secondary task of manual logging with situation awareness questions were designed for the study.

Applied Ergonomics

The visual serving task is defined as a primary task, while regulating attitude of the base satellite to zero is defined as a secondary task.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Moreover, the study established the benefits of adapting the level of haptic authority when the drivers were engaged in a secondary task.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

In general, the results suggest that driving with a secondary task in an urban environment caused some changes in driving behaviour.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

We found that engaging the driver's cognitively with a secondary task significantly affected his/her driving performance as well as the judgment capability.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a secondary task", ensure the primary task is clearly defined to avoid confusion about priorities.

Common error

Avoid dedicating disproportionate time or resources to "a secondary task" at the expense of the primary objective. Always maintain focus on the main goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a secondary task" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, indicating a task that is subordinate to a primary task. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "a secondary task" is used to describe supplementary activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a secondary task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a task of lesser importance compared to a primary one. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various domains, notably in scientific research, news reporting, and encyclopedic content. While the register is generally neutral to formal, its meaning is consistent. When incorporating "a secondary task" into your writing, ensure clarity by defining the primary task, and avoid overemphasizing the secondary one. Alternatives include "a minor task" or "a supplementary task".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor task

Replaces "secondary" with "minor", indicating a lesser degree of importance.

a supplementary task

Uses "supplementary" to emphasize the additive nature of the task.

an additional responsibility

Shifts the focus to the responsibility aspect rather than the task itself.

a side task

Uses "side" to indicate that the task is performed alongside the main activity.

a subordinate task

Emphasizes the hierarchical relationship, with the task being lower in importance.

an auxiliary task

Highlights the supportive role of the task.

a peripheral task

Suggests that the task is on the edge or not central to the main focus.

an extra task

Uses "extra" to denote something added or beyond what is usual or expected.

a non-essential task

Emphasizes that the task is not critical or indispensable.

a less important task

States directly that the task has a lower level of importance.

FAQs

How does "a secondary task" impact overall performance?

Engaging in "a secondary task" can sometimes increase cognitive load, potentially affecting performance on the primary task. However, in some vigilance situations, it might improve focus.

What are some alternatives to "a secondary task"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor task", "a supplementary task", or "an additional responsibility" depending on the context.

In project management, how should "a secondary task" be handled?

In project management, "a secondary task" should be clearly defined with assigned resources and a deadline, but always prioritized below the primary tasks to ensure project success.

Is it always detrimental to engage in "a secondary task" while performing a primary one?

Not always. While it can increase cognitive load, some studies suggest that in certain situations, like monotonous tasks, engaging in "a secondary task" can actually improve performance on the primary task by maintaining alertness.