a single undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to one specific task or project that is being pursued or completed. Example: "The committee decided to focus on a single undertaking to ensure that resources were not spread too thin."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Brazil, indeed, has lobbied for the hemispherewide negotiations to be concluded as a single undertaking, meaning all loose ends of an accord must be tied up before all countries involved can sign.

The New York Times

WTO decisions should continue to be taken by consensus, but procedural reforms could reinforce the consensus-building process.* Similarly, the requirement that all countries sign all Doha round agreements as a "single undertaking" should be maintained, but the pacts should give developing countries help to implement the new rules and temporary exemptions from litigation.What needs to be done?

The Economist

This supports the Thai government in endorsing a comprehensive (or broadly based) round of negotiations and wants to see the negotiations concluded as a single undertaking.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Part of the reason the Doha negotiations failed, many observers now acknowledge, was that they were simply too ambitious, relying on a so-called "single undertaking" approach, which sought an across-the-board agreement on the markets for agriculture, goods and services.

The Guardian

It is certainly the biggest single undertaking by a jeweller since the Crown jewels'.

The Guardian

Since 2008 Canada has called for the outcome of the UN climate talks to be a single legal undertaking, building on the Kyoto protocol – with GHG commitments for all major emitters, including the US, China and India.

The Guardian - Opinion

Due to limitations in resources, interviews and data analysis was carried out by a single researcher undertaking specialist training in palliative care.

BMC Palliative Care

These texts constitute his most extensive single undertaking, as well as his last major work.

Harvard University

The current results indicated both volume productivity and piece count productivity were significantly higher for the hours when two or more operators shared the scanning task than for those hours when a single operator undertook the scanning task.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

A single reviewer undertook eligibility assessment.

BMJ Open

The Exeter Primary Outcomes Study (EPOS) is one of the largest longitudinal studies of a single prosthesis undertaken in the UK and continues to follow-up recipients for 10 years post-operatively.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a single undertaking", ensure the context clearly establishes the specific task or project being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Consider adding descriptive details to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a single undertaking" when referring to a series of interconnected tasks. It's more appropriate when describing a distinct, self-contained activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject or object within a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It denotes a specific, individual task or project.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a single undertaking" is a grammatically sound noun phrase denoting a specific, individual project or task. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the context clearly defines the task or project to avoid ambiguity. While Ludwig examples are limited, it is a solid phrase when needing to express the idea of a single activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a solitary endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", implying a focused and potentially challenging effort.

an individual project

Substitutes "undertaking" with "project", highlighting the self-contained and planned nature of the task.

a unique venture

Uses "venture" instead of "undertaking", suggesting a risky or innovative endeavor.

one unified effort

Emphasizes the coordinated and singular aspect of the work.

a discrete task

Focuses on the separate and distinct nature of the activity.

a standalone operation

Highlights the independent and self-sufficient characteristic of the activity.

an isolated activity

Underscores the separate and unconnected aspect of the work.

a singular mission

Replaces "undertaking" with "mission", implying a specific and important goal.

a focused campaign

Suggests a targeted and organized effort with a specific aim.

a concentrated activity

Emphasizes the intensive and focused nature of the endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "a single undertaking" in a sentence?

You can use "a single undertaking" to refer to a specific project or task that is being pursued. For example: "The company decided to focus on "a single undertaking" to maximize its resources."

What can I say instead of "a single undertaking"?

You can use alternatives like "a solitary endeavor", "an individual project", or "a unique venture" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a single undertaking" or "multiple undertakings"?

The choice depends on whether you are referring to one specific task or several different tasks. Use ""a single undertaking"" when discussing one specific project and "multiple undertakings" when referring to several different projects.

What's the difference between "a single undertaking" and "a common undertaking"?

"A single undertaking" implies an individual project or task, whereas "a common undertaking" suggests a shared effort or goal involving multiple parties.