complete the task

USAGE SUMMARY

"Complete the task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to give someone specific instructions for completing a task. For example, "Please complete the task by presenting the report to the board meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They were able to complete the task.

The New York Times - Health

They had barely 56 hours to complete the task.

The New York Times

The participants had 24 hours to complete the task.

Stanford University

Crowd-sourcing may one day complete the task.

The New York Times

It took them nearly two minutes to complete the task.

The New York Times

Did you need any special training or skill in order to complete the task?

The New York Times

He will remain in Ukraine as long as necessary to complete the task.

The Guardian

Starting on May 26th, they had twelve days to complete the task, under treacherous conditions.

The New Yorker

The NRA estimates Nepal will need at least an additional $3bn to complete the task.

The Guardian

"I will complete the task, which pertains to the men, tomorrow, God willing," Khadar says.

The New Yorker

However, we recognise that a lot of work will be necessary to complete the task.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to do something, clearly define the scope of "the task" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Complete the task", say "Complete the task of writing the report and submitting it by Friday."

Common error

Avoid using "complete the task" without specifying which task you are referring to. Always provide context or a clear identifier to prevent confusion. For instance, don't just say "I will complete the task"; specify, "I will complete the task of updating the database."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete the task" typically functions as an imperative, used to instruct or direct someone to finish a specific assignment. It can also act as part of a declarative statement describing the act of finishing a job, and its usage is considered correct according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complete the task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as an imperative, directing action towards finishing a job, and carries a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. While "complete the task" is very common across various sources, including news, media, and academia, providing specific details about the task will ensure clarity and prevent ambiguity in both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish the job

Replaces "task" with "job", emphasizing the work aspect.

accomplish the objective

Substitutes "complete" with "accomplish" and "task" with "objective", conveying a sense of purpose and achievement.

execute the assignment

Replaces "complete" with "execute" and "task" with "assignment", highlighting the action and formal nature.

carry out the duty

Uses "carry out" instead of "complete" and "duty" in place of "task", suggesting a sense of obligation.

perform the work

Emphasizes the action of "performing" and uses "work" instead of "task", suitable when the task involves physical or mental effort.

achieve the goal

Replaces "complete" with "achieve" and "task" with "goal", focusing on the desired outcome.

finalize the project

Uses "finalize" instead of "complete" and "project" instead of "task", suitable when the task is part of a larger undertaking.

discharge the responsibility

Replaces "complete" with "discharge" and "task" with "responsibility", highlighting the fulfillment of an obligation.

conclude the activity

Uses "conclude" instead of "complete" and "activity" in place of "task", suggesting the termination of an action.

wrap up the undertaking

Employs a more informal tone, replacing "complete" with "wrap up" and "task" with "undertaking".

FAQs

How can I use "complete the task" in a sentence?

You can use "complete the task" to instruct someone to finish a specific job. For example, "Please "complete the task" by the end of the day", or "He was able to "complete the task" despite the challenges".

What are some alternatives to saying "complete the task"?

Alternatives include "finish the job", "accomplish the objective", or "execute the assignment". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "completed the task" instead of "complete the task"?

Yes, "completed the task" is the past tense form, while "complete the task" is the infinitive or imperative form. Use "completed" when referring to an action that has already been finished. Use "complete the task" when giving instructions or making a general statement.

What's the difference between "complete the task" and "finish the task"?

While similar, ""complete the task"" often implies a more thorough or comprehensive accomplishment, whereas "finish the task" simply means to bring it to an end. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.