engage in a task

USAGE SUMMARY

"engage in a task" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "My job requires me to engage in a task every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Here the premise is that elderly individuals often have the resources necessary to engage in a task, but only activate them in response to explicit directions.

Journal of Consumer Psychology

Isen and Reeve [31] states that "intrinsic motivation is the motivation to engage in a task for its own sake out of interest and/or enjoyment and not as a means to another reward".

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Despite didactic competence among the teachers, the students' willingness to engage in a task seems to be affected by the experience of frequently being assigned to unnecessary redoing assignments.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

It takes you 15 consecutive minutes of focus before you can fully engage in a task.

Huffington Post

Being lazy -- that is, choosing not to engage in a task as fully as one would if resources were not reduced -- may therefore reflect a need to retreat in order to regain energy supplies to expend more energy in the future.

Huffington Post

CTA addresses the perceptions, goals, beliefs and thought processes of individuals while they engage in a task.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This is the tragedy of recording: engaged in a task of reproduction, you keep coming up against the irreproducible.

The New Yorker

Mostly, he says, one must simply grit one's teeth, content in the knowledge that one is engaged in a task which, ultimately, is for the greater good.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Once engaged in a task they enjoy, whether acting out a story or constructing a building, children become motivated to constantly refine and improve on their task and to increase the challenge.

The Guardian

These categories were: competence in the workplace, engaging in a task, educational expectations, and learning activities in the workplace.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

Explaining why they are engaging in a task may also drive "more students to take the activity seriously".

International Journal of STEM Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's involvement in a project, use "engage in a task" to emphasize active participation and commitment.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal alternatives when simpler language is more appropriate. While phrases like "devote oneself to a task" can be correct, "engage in a task" often strikes a better balance between formality and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in a task" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement or active participation in a specific activity. It highlights the process of being involved in something, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "engage in a task" is a grammatically correct and acceptable phrase that describes active participation in an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While relatively uncommon, the phrase is suitable for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and general informational sources. Alternatives such as "undertake a task" or "perform a task" can be used to vary expression, but "engage in a task" emphasizes the active involvement aspect. When writing, prioritize this phrase when you want to show active role, commitment and participation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undertake a task

Focuses on starting or taking responsibility for a task.

Perform a task

Emphasizes the execution or completion of a task.

Carry out a task

Highlights the process of completing a task from start to finish.

Execute a task

Implies a more formal or technical approach to completing a task.

Be involved in a task

Suggests participation or contribution to a task, rather than complete responsibility.

Participate in a task

Similar to "be involved in a task", emphasizing shared involvement.

Work on a task

Indicates effort and activity directed towards a task.

Attend to a task

Highlights the act of giving attention and effort to a task.

Apply oneself to a task

Stresses the dedication and focus given to a task.

Devote oneself to a task

Implies a strong commitment and significant time investment in a task.

FAQs

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

You can use "engage in a task" to describe someone's involvement or participation in an activity, as in "The students actively "engaged in a task" during the science experiment".

What are some alternatives to "engage in a task"?

Alternatives include "undertake a task", "perform a task", or "carry out a task", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "engage in a task" or "complete a task"?

"Engage in a task" emphasizes involvement and participation, while "complete a task" focuses on finishing it. The better choice depends on whether you want to highlight the process or the outcome.

What's the difference between "engage in a task" and "participate in a task"?

"Engage in a task" suggests a more active and committed involvement compared to "participate in a task", which can imply a more passive role. Consider the level of involvement you want to convey.