begin a task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin a task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate the start of a specific job or assignment. Example: "Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, you can begin a task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And everywhere people helped their neighbors begin a task that will take many days: cleaning out the debris that nature left in its wake.

The Guardian

When an instructor recognizes that students are confused about how to begin a task, he can "answer these questions for the whole class" in order to "allay confusion for everyone, not just the student who asked the question".

International Journal of STEM Education

Rosenbaum's research has found that people have a tendency to "pre-crastinate," meaning that they choose to begin a task as soon as possible just to finish it quicker, even if requires expending more effort.

Huffington Post

But if you begin a task you are forced to begin your day, and the temptation to stay in bed will melt away.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Once she begins a task, it's difficult for her to stop.

The New Yorker

But recently, a bulldozer and crane rumbled into the neighborhood and, with little fanfare, began a task that astonished the old men and children who gathered to watch from the sidewalk — they took away the wall.

The New York Times

Jason Hong, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University and a member of its Human-Computer Interaction Institute, says Microsoft Word's Clippy failed for two reasons: he was intrusive, interrupting you when you had already begun a task, and he simply wasn't very smart, often failing to understand your intentions, when you bothered to indulge him, that is.

MIT Technology Review

With children, you might even review the three steps before beginning a task.

Huffington Post

Rather than being principally directed by student's beliefs prior to, or when they begin a writing task, the on-the-fly interactions they have during the writing task may best explain their tendency toward plagiarism.

Computers & Education

Experiment 1 demonstrated that high worriers begin a catastrophising task with higher self-reported levels of responsibility towards fully considering all issues involved, than low worriers.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

One week post-surgery, we begin a daily task specific training regimen.

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begin a task" to clearly indicate the starting point of an activity, especially in instructional or procedural contexts.

Common error

Avoid substituting "begin" with overly formal words like "commence" or "initiate" in casual conversations or informal writing. Stick to "start" or "get started" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin a task" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the initiation of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, supported by examples showing its application in various contexts. The word "begin" acts as a verb, followed by the noun phrase "a task", together expressing the commencement of a specific activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin a task" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the starting point of an activity. It is considered neutral in register and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English. While "start a task" is a more common and often preferred alternative, "begin a task" serves as a slightly more formal option. To ensure clarity in writing, it's important to avoid overly formal synonyms in informal contexts and use the phrase to clearly signal the initiation of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a task

Replaces "begin" with "start", a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

commence a task

Uses "commence", a more formal synonym for "begin", indicating a similar action but in a more formal context.

get started on a task

Adds "get started on", making the phrase more conversational and informal.

initiate a task

Employs "initiate", which suggests a more deliberate and planned start to the task.

undertake a task

Replaces "begin" with "undertake", implying acceptance of responsibility for the task.

set about a task

Employs "set about", indicating a focused and organized approach to starting the task.

embark on a task

Uses "embark on", suggesting a more significant or challenging start to the task, like starting a journey.

take on a task

Uses "take on", implying acceptance and willingness to handle the task.

launch a task

Uses "launch", suggesting a formal or public beginning, often used for projects or initiatives.

kick off a task

Replaces "begin" with "kick off", an informal term suggesting an energetic start.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "begin a task"?

You can use alternatives like "start a task", "commence a task", or "initiate a task" depending on the context.

Is "begin a task" formal or informal?

"Begin a task" is generally considered neutral. More formal alternatives include "commence a task", while informal options include "get started on a task".

How to use "begin a task" in a sentence?

You can use "begin a task" to describe the act of starting something, such as "Before you can claim any money back, you must begin a task of calculating the cost involved".

What's the difference between "begin a task" and "start a task"?

The phrases "begin a task" and "start a task" are largely interchangeable. "Start" is more common and generally preferred in everyday language, while "begin" can sound slightly more formal.