chief task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary or most important responsibility or duty in a given context. Example: "The chief task of the project manager is to ensure that the team meets its deadlines and stays within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

This became the chief task of trigonometry for the next several centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their managers are now likely to be distracted from their chief task of turning a profit.

The Economist

The chief task is to build systems to monitor the electrical signals coming from conductive-concrete structures.

The Economist

Their chief task is to find and kill Mr. bin Laden and other members of Al Qaeda, the terrorist network.

The New York Times

But Sharkey's chief task will be to lead the fightback by the music world against illegal music downloads.

The Guardian - Music

This government's chief task would be to prepare for elections 45 days to three months after taking office.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

After her appointment was announced in September, Ms. Vulgamore said one of her chief tasks would be to come up with a new business model for the orchestra.

The New York Times - Arts

Jodie Foster is Delacourt, the homeland-security chief tasked with keeping out the wetbacks: illegal immigrants from Earth showing up in their ramshackle spacecraft.

The Guardian - Film

In a world where countries adopt different national emission control strategies one of the chief tasks of government is to manage those national programs at the "seams"–where they interact with the rest of the world economy.

The New York Times

This government's chief tasks, besides keeping the country running, must be to carry out badly needed constitutional reforms around presidential powers, and to create the conditions for new free and fair elections.

The New York Times

Securing vaccine for poor countries, where Chan says she expects the virus to sketch a "bleaker" picture than it has so far, will be one of her chief tasks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief task" to introduce the most critical aspect or responsibility within a detailed explanation, providing a focal point for the reader's understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "chief task" when the responsibility is merely significant but not definitively the most important. Assess the context carefully to ensure the task genuinely outweighs all others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief task" functions as a noun phrase identifying the most important responsibility or duty in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief task" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the most important responsibility or duty. As highlighted by Ludwig, its usage spans across news, encyclopedias and scientific domains, generally maintaining a neutral to professional register. While its meaning is clear, it’s important to reserve this phrase for situations where the designated task is undeniably the most critical. Alternatives such as "primary responsibility" or "main objective" can offer nuanced variations in emphasis. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively leverage "chief task" to convey clarity and emphasize key priorities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary responsibility

Emphasizes the aspect of duty and accountability, similar to "chief task".

main objective

Highlights the goal-oriented nature of the task, focusing on what needs to be achieved.

principal duty

Stresses the obligatory aspect, indicating a formal or assigned responsibility.

key responsibility

Indicates a significant and important duty, synonymous with "chief task".

core mission

Focuses on the central purpose or aim, particularly in organizational contexts.

primary goal

Highlights the intended outcome as the main focus.

central objective

Emphasizes the importance of the goal as being pivotal.

main function

Focuses on the core activity or operation that something is designed to perform.

essential purpose

Highlights the fundamental reason or aim for something's existence or operation.

foremost duty

Stresses the priority and importance of the obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "chief task" in a sentence?

You can use "chief task" to describe the most important duty or responsibility someone has. For example, "The "chief task" of a firefighter is to save lives".

What's a good alternative to "chief task"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "chief task" include "primary responsibility", "main objective", or "principal duty".

How does "chief task" differ from "important task"?

"Chief task" implies the most important task among several, while "important task" simply means a task that holds significance, without necessarily being the most critical. The "chief task" is of higher importance compared to an "important task".

Is it appropriate to use "chief task" in informal writing?

While "chief task" isn't overly formal, simpler terms like "main job" or "top priority" may be more suitable for informal contexts. You should use the phrase "chief task" depending on the audience and tone you want to set.