follow a task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "follow a task" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to adhere to or complete a specific task or set of instructions. Example: "To ensure the project is completed on time, please follow a task list that outlines each step required."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He suggested that, given public concerns about potential abuse of metadata, maybe it would be a good idea to follow a task force recommendation and have telephone companies store the information, with access by investigators on a more limited basis.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In order to better interpret the previous results, I follow a task-based approach.

SERIEs

It follows a task force meeting on Friday, when Mr Simmons gave evidence about his experiences of migration to Boston.

BBC

The oral English classes followed a Task-Based Language Teaching approach (TBLT) (Willis & Willis, 2007), with students working together in small groups to complete simple tasks that often required some kind of feedback or report to the entire group.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

FReDoWS follows a task-flow model which we describe in Figure 3. Before the execution of FReDoWS there is a Setup task.

BMC Genomics

Using the same method, one can also test whether observed values from a particular task follow a predicted pattern better than another task [ 38].

BMC Ecology

Which was a fancy way of saying that she could no longer manage the progression of a task, follow a prompt.

The New York Times - Magazine

As this season's champion, he headlines the concert — but that is no prize because each night he has to follow Mr. Lambert, a task for which he is ill prepared.

The New York Times - Arts

Analyses with non-parametric MANOVAs followed a three (task type: TOEFL Essay, writing in response to a reading passage, writing in response to a listening passage) by three (English proficiency level: score levels 3, 4, and 5 on the TOEFL Essay) within-subjects factorial design.

Assessing Writing

Following a state task force investigation into a number of Wisconsin counties' 2008 presidential election ballots, 20 Wisconsinites were charged with committing election fraud.

Huffington Post

but What is the dao (way), and how do we follow it?[6] The fundamental aim is not an intellectual grasp of a definition or principle, but the practical ability to follow a norm or perform a task successfully.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "follow a task", ensure the context provides clear instructions or a defined procedure for the task being followed. For example: "To ensure the project is completed on time, please follow a task list that outlines each step required."

Common error

Avoid using "follow a task" when you mean to describe the creation or assignment of a task. "Follow a task" implies adherence to pre-existing instructions, not the definition of the task itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "follow a task" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of adhering to or executing a specific task. It implies a guided process, where one is expected to perform according to given instructions or a pre-defined workflow. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "follow a task" is grammatically correct and used to describe the act of adhering to a pre-defined procedure or set of instructions for completing a task. While Ludwig AI considers it usable, its usage is relatively uncommon, appearing in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the context provides clear instructions and consider alternatives like "fulfill a task" or "complete a task" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be mindful to use this phrase when adhering to instructions and not describing the creation or assigning of a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fulfill a task

Focuses on the completion aspect of the task.

complete a task

Emphasizes finishing the task at hand.

execute a task

Highlights the performance or carrying out of the task.

undertake a task

Implies taking on or beginning a task.

perform a task

Stresses the action of doing the task.

carry out a task

Similar to execute, but slightly more descriptive.

address a task

Focuses on dealing with or solving the task.

attend to a task

Highlights giving attention and dealing with the task.

see through a task

Implies completing the task despite challenges.

adhere to a task

Stresses the importance of sticking to the task and its requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "follow a task" when you want to emphasize adhering to a specific procedure or set of instructions. For example: "The new employees were instructed to follow a task list for onboarding."

What are some alternatives to "follow a task"?

Alternatives include "fulfill a task", "complete a task", or "execute a task", each emphasizing different aspects of task management.

Is it better to say "follow a task" or "complete a task"?

The choice depends on the context. "Follow a task" emphasizes adherence to a process, while "complete a task" focuses on finishing the task itself. Use the one that best fits the situation.

What does it mean to "follow a task" in a project management context?

In project management, to "follow a task" typically means to adhere to the steps and guidelines outlined in a task's description or process. This ensures consistency and proper execution.