entrust the task to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entrust the task to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you are assigning responsibility for a task to someone else. Example: "I will entrust the task to Sarah, as she has the necessary experience to handle it effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

We all want to save the rainforests, even if we might not entrust the task to an offshoot of the Rupert Murdoch empire.

The Guardian - Sport

Tightened border controls, especially since Sept. 11, have made it more difficult and expensive for those in the United States illegally to return home to retrieve their children, forcing them to entrust the task to strangers, officials said.

The New York Times

Pakistan has handed him over to America, but where and by whom he is to be interrogated is unclear: America may choose to entrust the task to friendly regimes with fewer qualms about torture.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It did so, in part, by entrusting the task to Mr. Sherman, who said he was "not the kind of guy you want running into a burning building".

The New York Times

She sang powerfully and credibly, though at times she openly entrusted the task to her background singers, or (less infrequently) the safety net of a recorded track.

The New York Times - Arts

Prohibitions against human dissection were slowly lifting, and Mondino performed his own dissections rather than following the customary procedure of entrusting the task to a menial.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The purchase of 695 sculptures from Antiquity in the collection of his brother-in-law Prince Camille Borghese was deemed so vital by the emperor that he personally entrusted the task to Dominique-Vivant Denon, the director of imperial museums, and to Ennio Quirino Visconti, the "overseer" of Roman Antiquities in what was then the Musée Napoléon and is now the Louvre Museum.

The New York Times - Arts

Ryan Giggs is coming towards the end of his Old Trafford playing career but it would be a gamble of epic proportions to entrust the task of succeeding Ferguson to a managerial novice.

BBC

It would have been better for the Arab League to entrust the task of creating this monitoring mission to the UN, a body that has more experience in this field.

HuffPost

The Minister of Health was entrusted with the task to promote the establishment in England and Wales of a comprehensive health service designed to secure improvement in the physical and mental health of the people of England and Wales.

Pharmacy Law and Practice

Ford has entrusted the task since 1982 to Peter J. Pestillo, one of Ford's four executive vice presidents, who is a regular golf partner and close friend of Stephen P. Yokich, the president of the U.A.W.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly define the scope and expected outcomes of the task to avoid misunderstandings when you "entrust the task to" someone.

Common error

Avoid simply "entrusting the task to" someone without providing adequate guidance, resources, or support. Ensure they have what they need to succeed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entrust the task to" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of assigning a specific responsibility or duty to someone or something. This often implies a degree of confidence in the recipient's ability to successfully complete the task. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Wiki

13%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "entrust the task to" is a grammatically sound and usable English phrase, as verified by Ludwig. It functions to assign responsibility with an element of confidence. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, science, business, and even wikis. Given its neutral to formal register, it is most appropriate for professional or academic communications. When using the phrase, ensure the recipient has adequate support for successful completion. Alternatives such as "delegate the task to" or "assign the task to" provide stylistic variety. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's versatility in conveying delegation across multiple domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delegate the task to

Replaces "entrust" with "delegate", emphasizing the act of assigning responsibility.

assign the task to

Substitutes "entrust" with "assign", focusing on the act of allocating a task.

hand over the task to

Uses "hand over" instead of "entrust", highlighting the transfer of responsibility.

pass on the task to

Employs "pass on" to indicate the act of giving the task to someone else.

charge someone with the task

Uses "charge" to convey the act of giving someone responsibility.

give someone the responsibility for the task

Replaces "entrust" with a longer phrase, emphasizing responsibility.

authorize someone to do the task

Focuses on the authorization aspect rather than the entrusting.

commission someone to do the task

Emphasizes formally assigning the task.

empower someone to do the task

Highlights giving power or authority to complete the task.

leave the task in someone's hands

Indicates placing trust in someone to complete the task.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "entrust the task to" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "delegate the task to", "assign the task to", or "hand over the task to" depending on the context.

Is "entrust the task to" formal or informal?

The phrase "entrust the task to" is generally considered neutral to formal. It is suitable for professional and academic contexts.

What's the difference between "entrust the task to" and "assign the task to"?

"Entrust the task to" implies a level of confidence and trust in the person's ability to complete it successfully, while "assign the task to" is a more neutral term that simply indicates the allocation of a task.

Can "entrust the task to" be used with inanimate objects?

While it's more common to "entrust the task to" a person or group, you can also use it with institutions or organizations that are capable of carrying out the task. For instance, "entrust the task to the UN".