ancillary tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ancillary tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to secondary or supportive tasks that are not the main focus but are still necessary for the completion of a project or job. Example: "In addition to the primary responsibilities, employees are expected to handle ancillary tasks that contribute to the overall efficiency of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Organizers have even solicited the help of 200 area Boy Scouts as volunteers doing ancillary tasks.

The New York Times - Travel

He notes that the government has brought in a measure to give judges more support for ancillary tasks.

The Economist

That has meant enticing or drafting just about everybody in town at one point or another to perform major and ancillary tasks.

The New York Times

Never shy to declare that he was "a Leach potter" and that he had learned his craft in the workshop, he graduated from the important if ancillary tasks of kiln packing and clay mixing, through to the demanding, repetitive work making Leach domestic pots, the pottery's standard ware.

The Guardian - Arts

The API provides also access to ancillary tasks: calibration of a new model involves the definition of model parameters (including e.g. definitions of the protein binding pocket, ligand-protonation states and MD simulation time) and the preparation of specific files such as for the protein topology and the formatting of the protein structure(s) in accordance with the MD and docking packages.

Journal of Cheminformatics

This small study estimated that administration time for ZA averaged 66 minutes, of which 25 minutes was accounted for by infusion time and the remaining 41 minutes by ancillary tasks.

Cancer Management and Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Mr. Gerber's contention is that entrepreneurs have neither the time nor the interest in diving so deeply into an ancillary task.

The New York Times

This paradigm can readily be extended for the study of pre-attentive processing of speech in populations such as children and second-language learners whose overt behavior is often difficult to interpret because of ancillary task demands.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Fifteen participants completed a point-light biological motion study following a two-by-two factorial design, with one factor representing an exogenous manipulation of human movement goals (goal-directed versus random movement), and the other an endogenous manipulation (a goal identification task versus an ancillary color-change task).

NeuroImage

On average, our study showed that regional referral hospitals employed 43 workers, district hospitals 28 workers and health centres 9 workers for ancillary, non-care tasks.

Health Policy and Planning

The narrator, like his creator, claims poetic license: "As for me," he says, "I became a writer, and every job I've ever held or choice I've ever made has been ancillary to this task.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing roles or projects, clearly differentiate between primary and "ancillary tasks" to ensure clarity and focus on core objectives.

Common error

Avoid dedicating excessive time or resources to "ancillary tasks" at the expense of core responsibilities. Prioritize effectively to maximize overall productivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ancillary tasks" functions as a noun phrase typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It refers to supplementary or supporting activities that are not the primary focus but contribute to the overall process or goal. Ludwig provides examples where it describes activities ranging from volunteer work to administrative duties.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ancillary tasks" is a noun phrase referring to secondary or supportive activities that contribute to a larger process. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and provides examples from various sources, including news media and scientific publications. It is most frequently used in science, news media, and formal business contexts. While not as critical as primary tasks, "ancillary tasks" are important for overall success. As Ludwig highlights, it's essential to prioritize tasks effectively and avoid overemphasizing "ancillary tasks" at the expense of core responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supporting tasks

Focuses on the role of providing support to the main activities.

secondary duties

Emphasizes the less important nature of the tasks.

additional responsibilities

Highlights that these tasks are added to existing duties.

supplementary activities

Indicates that these activities complement the primary ones.

auxiliary functions

Uses a more formal term for assistance or support.

related duties

Suggests a connection to the main tasks, though not central.

peripheral assignments

Emphasizes the less critical and more marginal aspect of the tasks.

non-essential tasks

Highlights that the tasks are not crucial but still necessary.

minor operations

Focuses on the scale and importance of the tasks.

attendant activities

Suggests that these activities accompany and support the main operations.

FAQs

How can I use "ancillary tasks" in a sentence?

You can use "ancillary tasks" to describe supportive or secondary duties that are part of a larger job. For example, "Volunteers assisted with "ancillary tasks" during the event."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "ancillary tasks"?

Some alternatives include "supporting tasks", "secondary duties", or "supplementary activities", depending on the context.

Are "ancillary tasks" as important as primary tasks?

While not primary, "ancillary tasks" are important because they support the main activities. Neglecting them can affect the overall success of a project.

What is the difference between "ancillary tasks" and "essential tasks"?

"Ancillary tasks" are supportive and secondary, while essential tasks are critical and fundamental to the project or job. Essential tasks must be completed for success, while "ancillary tasks" facilitate the completion of these essential tasks.