an elementary task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an elementary task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task that is simple or basic in nature, often implying that it requires little skill or effort to complete. Example: "Completing the form is just an elementary task that anyone can do without any prior experience."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

HAMMERING nails is such an elementary task that it would seem that no explanation is needed.

The New York Times

The one horse at Newbury today who plainly warrants a place along the epoch-making names listed above is Big Buck's, who has an elementary task to extend his unbeaten spree to 18 in the Sportingbet Long Distance Hurdle.

Independent

The system roles (either human or automated system) carry out variable valuation, or binding at each single variable through an elementary task.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

The transformation is a state transition and can be identified with an elementary task within a business process and mapped to a service activity of IS services.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Mutation, on the other hand, corresponds to a more general principle: replacing an elementary task by a more complex process, or the way around.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

This is an elementary task for a decoder because any variation in the pattern of responses can be attributed to a change in sound location.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

With a majority in parliament and a large national following, and with no experience whatsoever in the give-and-take of democratic governance, Morsi failed in the elementary task of creating a system of compromise, inclusiveness, and checks and balances.

The Washington Post

Back then, and even today, the elementary task of properly serving draft beer seemed beyond many bars, which seem oblivious to the precepts of maintaining cleanliness and freshness.

The New York Times

The tasks, of all of the information necessary for defining the pathway, the human resources involved, the timing and duration of each elementary task, and the specific expected occupation time of the OR, were assessed.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

For example, since BLAST has been developed as multicore or multinode (i.e., MPI support) implementations and data parallelization with BLAST to distribute chain and domain library searches are possible, we can further divide into many subtasks from each elementary task.

BioMed Research International

Remember your astonishment that both the sending and the receiving bank want their cut in commission for performing this elementary task in the electronic age.

EU Parlament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an elementary task" to emphasize the simplicity and lack of required expertise for a given activity, especially when contrasting it with more complex endeavors.

Common error

Avoid using "an elementary task" when the task's simplicity is already apparent or implied. Redundancy can weaken your writing; opt for a more concise description if the context already clarifies the task's basic nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an elementary task" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "elementary" modifies the noun "task". It describes a task that is basic, simple, or requires little skill. Ludwig AI suggests it's appropriate for describing activities requiring minimal expertise.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an elementary task" is grammatically correct and serves to describe a simple or basic action. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that while not overly frequent, its usage is consistent across science, news, and academic contexts. Alternatives include "a simple task" or "a basic task", depending on the desired nuance. It's best used when emphasizing the simplicity of a task or contrasting it with more complex activities. Avoid redundancy by omitting the phrase when the task's basic nature is already clear from the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple task

Replaces "elementary" with "simple", emphasizing ease and lack of complexity.

a basic task

Substitutes "elementary" with "basic", highlighting the fundamental nature of the task.

an easy task

Replaces "elementary" with "easy", focusing on the lack of difficulty.

a straightforward task

Uses "straightforward" instead of "elementary", suggesting a clear and uncomplicated process.

a routine task

Substitutes "elementary" with "routine", emphasizing the repetitive and commonplace nature of the task.

a trivial task

Replaces "elementary" with "trivial", highlighting the insignificance or unimportance of the task.

a manageable task

Uses "manageable" instead of "elementary", suggesting that the task is within one's capabilities and easy to handle.

a rudimentary task

Replaces "elementary" with "rudimentary", emphasizing the basic or underdeveloped nature of the task.

a facile task

Substitutes "elementary" with "facile", highlighting the ease and superficiality of the task.

a cinch

Replaces the entire phrase with a colloquialism meaning something very easy to do.

FAQs

How can I use "an elementary task" in a sentence?

You can use "an elementary task" to describe something that requires little skill or effort. For example, "Hammering a nail is often considered "an elementary task"."

What are some alternatives to saying "an elementary task"?

Alternatives include "a simple task", "a basic task", or "an easy task", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "an elementary task" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight the straightforward and uncomplicated nature of a task, especially when contrasting it with more complex or challenging activities.

Is "an elementary task" formal or informal?

The phrase is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "a fundamental task".