delegate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delegate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of assigning tasks or responsibilities to others, often in a work or organizational context. Example: "As a manager, it's important to delegate tasks effectively to ensure that the team can meet deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If history is anything to go by, he will delegate economic policy to technocrats, and focus his own energies on tackling insecurity and reducing corruption in government.

The Guardian - Opinion

During the debate several of Trimble's key allies deserted him, including Bertie Kerr, the Fermanagh delegate.

The Guardian

Leo Messi's 300th league game for Barcelona, his 500th across competitive games and friendlies, ended with Carlos Naval, the club's matchday delegate, leaving the pitch with the ball under his arm.

The Guardian - Sport

The Iowa caucus is really just to show preference, it does not result in selection of a national delegate as the primaries do as explained here.

The Guardian

As Middle Eastern affairs expert Meir Javedanfar noted, "No Iranian delegate would dare take such a risk without clearance from the very top".

The Guardian

18 January, London. 2 for 1 delegate place offer if you book before 17 December.

The Guardian

He was a delegate from Westminster to the Council of Europe and the Western European Union, and in 1996 became deputy lieutenant of Northumberland.

The Guardian

The Greens are planning to hold a delegate conference to ratify what will be one of the harshest budgets in modern Irish history.

The Guardian

The national delegate is selected later in Iowa.

The Guardian

The GBRMPA chairman, Russell Reichelt, said on Sunday that the documents had been preliminary and were never submitted to the delegate who made the decision to approve the dumping permit.

The Guardian

'We are down to 8 per cent in the opinion polls,' one delegate told them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember to balance "delegating" tasks with providing support. Check in periodically to offer guidance but avoid micromanaging the process.

Common error

Don't "delegate" tasks without clear instructions or expectations. Vague assignments lead to confusion and poor results. Always provide specific guidelines and desired outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The word "delegate" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of assigning responsibilities or authority to another person or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

31%

Science

28%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "delegate" is a very common verb that means to entrust a task or responsibility to another person. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It’s essential for effective management and leadership. When "delegating", be clear about instructions and expectations to avoid confusion. Related phrases include "assign tasks" and "entrust responsibility". Its usage spans across news, business, and scientific domains, with authoritative sources like The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times frequently employing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign tasks

Focuses specifically on the assignment of tasks rather than broader responsibilities.

entrust responsibility

Highlights the element of trust involved in giving someone a responsibility.

transfer authority

Emphasizes the shift of power or control from one person to another.

hand over duties

Implies a formal or official transfer of responsibilities.

pass on tasks

Suggests a less formal and potentially temporary transfer of tasks.

appoint a representative

Focuses on selecting someone to act on behalf of another, often in a formal setting.

authorize a deputy

Highlights the act of officially granting someone the power to act as a substitute.

commission an agent

Implies a formal arrangement where someone is hired to act on one's behalf.

nominate a proxy

Focuses on designating someone to vote or act in one's place, often in a meeting or election.

designate a surrogate

Suggests a substitution, where someone is chosen to fulfill another's role, especially temporarily.

FAQs

How do you effectively "delegate" responsibilities?

To "delegate" effectively, provide clear instructions, set expectations, offer necessary resources, and maintain open communication. Regularly check progress, provide feedback, and recognize successful completion of tasks.

What are some synonyms for "delegate"?

Synonyms for "delegate" include "assign tasks", "entrust responsibility", and "transfer authority".

Is it better to "delegate" or do everything yourself?

"Delegating" allows you to focus on high-priority tasks, develop your team's skills, and improve efficiency. It's more effective than trying to handle everything personally.

What are the benefits of "delegating" tasks in a team?

"Delegating" fosters teamwork, builds trust, empowers team members, and increases productivity by distributing workload and leveraging individual strengths.