an assignment to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an assignment to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a task or duty that is given to someone to complete. Example: "She received an assignment to prepare a report on the latest market trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mottau said he would not oppose an assignment to Hartford.

The New York Times - Sports

He soon won an assignment to the U.N.

The New Yorker

–How do you think you would handle an assignment to take pictures of a war?

The New York Times

Kate practically cracks up during an assignment to find hidden consumer gems in Chinatown.

The New York Times - Arts

Only then can he be considered for an assignment to Class A or AA.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm trying to get an assignment to cover the historic Democratic convention.

The New York Times

(Mr. Close did accept an assignment to photograph President Clinton in 1996).

The New York Times

OTTAWA SENATORS--Suspended F Alexei Kaigorodov for refusing an assignment to Binghamton of the AHL.

The New York Times

My second-grade class had an assignment to write a letter to a famous person.

The New York Times - Sports

Last year, Professor McGee gave his undergraduates an assignment to draft legislation addressing stem cell research.

The New York Times

This year I accepted an assignment to research the story behind my box, and everything changed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "an assignment to", ensure the context clearly indicates who is assigning the task and who is receiving it. This avoids ambiguity and ensures effective communication.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences such as "It was an assignment to do..." Instead, use active voice: "I received an assignment to do..." or "They gave me an assignment to do...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an assignment to" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, where "assignment" acts as a noun and "to" connects it to another noun or noun phrase. It specifies the purpose or recipient of the assignment, indicating direction or allocation. Ludwig examples showcase it in contexts involving tasks, duties, or placements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an assignment to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig confirms, it commonly appears in News & Media and Scientific contexts, indicating tasks or duties allocated to someone or something. While generally neutral, its register leans towards professional due to frequent use in formal and business settings. Related phrases include ""a task to"" and ""a duty to"", offering contextual alternatives. Effective writing involves using active voice and clearly defining the assigner and assignee to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a task to

This alternative replaces "assignment" with a more general term, suitable for less formal contexts.

a duty to

This alternative emphasizes the obligatory nature of the assignment, highlighting responsibility.

an allocation to

This alternative focuses on the distribution aspect, particularly when resources or funds are involved.

an allotment to

Similar to allocation, but often used in the context of distributing shares or portions.

a posting to

This alternative is used to indicate a job placement or relocation to a specific location or department.

an awards to

Similar to assignment, but often used in the context of giving someone a price

an allocation for

Similar to allocation, but often used in the context of giving resources for something

a secondment to

This suggests a temporary transfer to another department or organization.

an allocation from

Similar to allocation, but often used in the context of giving someone a portion of something

an assigned to

This replaces the noun "assignment" with the verb "assigned", altering the sentence structure slightly.

FAQs

How can I use "an assignment to" in a sentence?

You can use "an assignment to" to indicate a task or duty given to someone. For example, "The journalist received "an assignment to" cover the event".

What are some alternatives to "an assignment to"?

Alternatives include "a task to", "a duty to", or "an allocation to", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "an assignment for" instead of "an assignment to"?

While "an assignment for" might be grammatically correct in some contexts, ""an assignment to"" is more commonly used to indicate a direct task given to someone.

What is the difference between ""an assignment to"" and "a project for"?

"An assignment to" typically implies a specific, directed task. "A project for" is broader and may refer to a longer-term undertaking with more flexibility.