bring to task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring to task" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate holding someone accountable for their actions or requiring them to explain their behavior. Example: "The manager decided to bring the employee to task for consistently missing deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They were essentially saying, "Let's be more polite to each other" rather than "Let's bring to task those people whose bombastic, odious, contemptuous words lower us all and elicit hatred and revenge for fabricated offense".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Brilliantly, we live in 2013, when news organisations can now publicly be brought to task.

Independent

He, too, was brought to task for making a largely Jewish group of children sing Christian-based songs.

The New York Times

There is no one person behind it or company which can be brought to task or investigated.

The Guardian

On November 6th the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, asserted that Singapore would "spare no effort" in bringing to task everyone responsible for the websites' defacement.

The Economist

What you, the third-party institution, are trying to do to make things right in this sport for these athletes is not fair to the athletes.' They need to be brought to task about that".

The New York Times - Sports

As F.B.I. director, Mr. Freeh is accountable, Mr. Shelby said, but he added that other bureau officials who failed to respond to repeated internal directives to turn over the documents "ought to be brought to task".

The New York Times

In real life, Kim is far from the only person being brought to task for running online networks where piracy thrives.

Vice

Meanwhile, this elite, composed of corporations profiting off of our ignorance, avoid being brought to task for their destruction of democratic governance and the economy.

HuffPost

I bring to this task a special experience in working with government as it should be.

The New York Times

What is startling, however, is the surreal humour that these two brothers bring to their task.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring to task", ensure the context clearly indicates who is holding whom accountable for what. Be specific about the action or behavior that warrants the reprimand.

Common error

Avoid using "bring to task" without clearly specifying the issue or behavior that needs addressing. Ensure clarity by explicitly stating the reason someone is being held accountable, otherwise, it can result in misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring to task" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the act of holding someone responsible or accountable for their actions or inactions. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase suggests confronting someone about a mistake or failure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bring to task" is an idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of holding someone accountable for their actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not as common as alternatives like "hold accountable", it serves a valuable function in expressing disapproval and demanding explanation. It maintains a neutral register and finds frequent usage in News & Media. Be sure to clearly specify the issue and party that you are calling to task to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold accountable

Replaces the idiomatic "bring to task" with a more direct and common expression.

call to account

Similar to "hold accountable", but emphasizes the need for an explanation.

take to task

A slightly more forceful and direct synonym.

hold responsible

Highlights the aspect of assigning blame or obligation.

demand explanation

Emphasizes the need for someone to justify their actions.

require justification

Similar to 'demand explanation', but more formal.

reprimand

Focuses on the act of formally scolding or censuring.

censure

Implies a formal and public disapproval.

call out

Modern and informal, meaning to publicly criticize.

bring to justice

Specifically refers to legal accountability.

FAQs

How can I use "bring to task" in a sentence?

You can use "bring to task" to indicate holding someone accountable for a specific action or failure. For instance, "The manager decided to "bring to task" the employee for their repeated tardiness".

What does "bring to task" mean?

"Bring to task" means to reprimand, scold, or hold someone accountable for a mistake or wrongdoing. It implies a need for explanation and correction.

Which is a more formal alternative to "bring to task"?

A more formal alternative to "bring to task" could be "hold accountable" or "require justification". These phrases are suitable for professional or official contexts.

Is "bring to task" the same as "take to task"?

Yes, "bring to task" and "take to task" are often used interchangeably. Both phrases mean to criticize or reprimand someone for a mistake or failure.