a specific undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a particular task or project that is being planned or executed. Example: "The committee has approved a specific undertaking to improve community engagement through various outreach programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This was a betrayal of a specific undertaking Washington had given to the Russians.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Higgins lived a fairly average life until a year and a half ago, when he stumbled across a highly specific undertaking at which he happens to excel.

The New Yorker

The pledge at Lough Erne, in Scotland, reaffirmed the commitment to the Busan open data standard as well as the specific undertaking that all G8 members would implement International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) set of standards by the end of 2015.

The Guardian

In cases that a self-reported trip could not be related to a specific trip undertaken by the young driver, a matching trip was sought within the unidentified trips for the same vehicle.

European Transport Research Review

The calibration factor was derived for individual states in five high-prevalence states, that is, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur and Tamil Nadu, based on calculations from NFHS-3, while for Nagaland the calibration factor was determined from a specific study undertaken by NACO.

BMJ Open

In order to progress from theoretical studies to implementation, a pilot project aimed at identifying and establishing system design specifications and requirements at a specific site was undertaken.

Desalination

The concept of the chosen people was accordingly understood as indicating a specific role deliberately undertaken by the Jewish people and similar to that espoused by other groups (e.g., manifest destiny by the American people).

Encyclopedia Britannica

I am a sole trader and I have acquired a large job that will need the assistance of another self-employed person with a specific skill to undertake the work.

BBC

To correct for optimism bias in the C statistic value (that is, over-fitting to a specific sample), we undertook internal validation using 100 bootstrap samples.

British Medical Journal

Based on the technical level of each country derived from the indicators of the Global Competitiveness Report (see Section 2.2.3), a specific analysis was undertaken to ascertain what specific contribution by which country would be important for upgrading red-flow commodities to yellow and green-flow commodities.

Environmental Science & Technology

Lessons may be learned from these two examples as to the likely challenges to securing a human rights-specific undertaking by NSAGs.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a specific undertaking", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and scope of the task being referenced.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific undertaking" without providing sufficient detail about what the undertaking entails. Be clear about the goals, steps, or resources involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific undertaking" functions as a noun phrase, where "specific" modifies the noun "undertaking". It typically acts as a subject complement or object within a sentence, as demonstrated by Ludwig. It describes a particular project, task, or commitment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific undertaking" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a particular task or project. Although Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct phrase, its frequency is considered rare. You can find it in news, science and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides sufficient detail about the undertaking to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "a particular endeavor" or "a defined project" to add nuance. Always aim for clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a particular endeavor

Replaces "undertaking" with "endeavor", implying a serious attempt to accomplish something.

a concrete task

Substitutes "specific" with "concrete", emphasizing the tangibility and definability of the task.

a defined project

Replaces "undertaking" with "project", a more formal and structured term.

a precise mission

Uses "mission" instead of "undertaking", suggesting a sense of purpose and importance.

a targeted assignment

Emphasizes the directed and focused nature of the undertaking by using "targeted assignment".

a distinct operation

Replaces "undertaking" with "operation", implying a planned and coordinated activity.

a specialized activity

Highlights the specialized nature of the undertaking.

a designated effort

Replaces "undertaking" with "effort", emphasizing the work and exertion involved.

a certain venture

Substitutes "specific undertaking" with "venture", implying potential risk and reward.

a fixed commitment

Highlights the obligational aspect of the task, suggesting that the task must be done no matter what.

FAQs

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

You can use "a specific undertaking" to refer to a defined project or task. For example, "The company launched "a specific undertaking" to reduce its carbon footprint".

What are some alternatives to "a specific undertaking"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a particular endeavor", "a concrete task", or "a defined project". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a very specific undertaking"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "very" may be redundant. If you want to emphasize precision, consider rephrasing to highlight the exactness of the task directly, or use a phrase such as "a highly specialized activity".

What's the difference between "a specific undertaking" and "a general undertaking"?

"A specific undertaking" refers to a clearly defined task with set goals and parameters. "A general undertaking" implies a broader, less defined effort. For instance, implementing a new software system would be "a specific undertaking", while improving overall company morale might be considered more of a "general undertaking".