brought to task

USAGE SUMMARY

"brought to task" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it when you want to describe someone being disciplined or held responsible for their actions. For example, "The student was brought to task for arriving late to class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 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

Today, indeed, it's the organisation's leadership itself that is brought to task, when a motion proposing the government stop distinguishing between healthcare and social care is kicked back by members after being deemed by many to be poorly framed.

The Guardian

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

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

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

Hoving brought to the task hucksterish flamboyance and ruthlessness.

The Guardian - Arts

She also brought to her task personal qualities of intuition, empathy and broad cultural perspective.

The New York Times

Mr. Myhrvold brought to that task a remarkably wide-ranging intellect and breadth of interests.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brought to task" when you want to emphasize that someone is being held responsible and possibly facing consequences for their actions or decisions. This phrase is best suited for situations where accountability is a key element.

Common error

Avoid using "brought to task" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone can sound out of place in relaxed settings; consider using alternatives like "called out" or "held accountable" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought to task" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone has been made to answer for their actions or held responsible for something. Ludwig AI examples show its use in news and media when reporting on accountability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brought to task" is a phrase used to describe the act of holding someone accountable for their actions, often implying a formal process of scrutiny and potential consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent use in news and media. It is considered to be neutral in tone and suitable for professional contexts. While it conveys a similar meaning to phrases like "held accountable" and "reprimanded", it emphasizes the process of being made responsible, making it a valuable term for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taken to task

The query phrase with different verb tense, so the meaning remains the same.

held accountable

Focuses on the general state of being responsible for one's actions.

faced consequences

Focuses on the results of one's actions.

called to account

Emphasizes the act of demanding an explanation or justification.

disciplined

Indicates a structured or corrective action.

reprimanded

Suggests a formal rebuke or scolding.

penalized

Implies the imposition of a penalty or fine.

chastised

Implies a more severe form of criticism or punishment.

censured

Suggests a formal expression of disapproval.

subjected to scrutiny

Highlights the act of being closely examined or investigated.

FAQs

How is "brought to task" different from "held accountable"?

"Brought to task" is often used when someone is formally challenged or reprimanded for a specific action, while "held accountable"/"held accountable" more broadly implies being responsible for one's actions or outcomes.

What are some situations where "brought to task" is appropriate?

"Brought to task" is typically appropriate in professional or formal contexts, such as reporting on disciplinary actions, legal proceedings, or instances of public accountability. For example, "The CEO was brought to task for the company's financial mismanagement."

Can "brought to task" be used interchangeably with "reprimanded"?

While both suggest a negative consequence, "reprimanded" implies a verbal or written rebuke, whereas "brought to task" /"reprimanded" suggests a more comprehensive process of accountability that may include investigation, explanation, and potential penalties.

Is it correct to say "bring to task" instead of "brought to task"?

The correct form depends on the tense. "Bring to task" is used in the present or future tense (e.g., "They will bring him to task"), while "brought to task" is used in the past tense (e.g., "He was brought to task").