given the task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "given the task" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been assigned or presented with a specific task or responsibility. Here is an example sentence: "John was given the task of organizing the company's annual fundraiser."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brown was given the task of deciphering Pemberton's messages.

The New York Times

Pity the perky 20-somethings actually given the task of calling people like me.

The New York Times

Without warning, they were then given the task of tracking down Saddam.

The Guardian

He was also given the task of striking a peace deal with the southern rebels.

The New York Times

He was given the task of running Lebanon in 1998 as part of his training program.

The New York Times

Welles had said that the KGB was given the task of assassinating Wayne.

The Guardian

Washington won't merely be given the task of pulling the economy out of the immediate crisis.

The New York Times - Magazine

As the junior man in the bureau, I was given the task of finding the hairdresser.

The New Yorker

Now people like Adnan, a former Baathist, have been given the task of defeating the insurgency.

The New York Times

In further studies sadistic psychopaths were given the task of devising sex fantasies involving Reagan.

The Guardian - Books

He was given the task of researching and writing about a patient's journey.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase in the passive voice when the person or entity assigning the task is less important than the person receiving it or the task itself.

Common error

Writers often start sentences with "given the task" without ensuring the subject immediately following the comma is the person who actually received the task. For example, in "Given the task of cleaning, the room was finished quickly", it sounds like the room was cleaning itself. Correct it to: "Given the task of cleaning, John finished the room quickly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "given the task" functions as a passive participial phrase. It typically follows a form of the verb "to be" (e.g. "was given", "has been given") to indicate the receipt of a responsibility. According to Ludwig AI, it is often used as a sentence-opening modifier to establish context for the subject's subsequent actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "given the task" is a versatile and correct English expression used to describe the delegation of work or responsibility. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI's extensive dataset, it thrives in journalistic and academic contexts where the focus remains on the action rather than the assigner. It is almost always paired with the preposition "of" or an infinitive phrase. While modern alternatives like "tasked with" offer more brevity, "given the task" remains a staple for clear, professional and high-quality writing. When using it to begin a sentence, always ensure the subject that follows is the one receiving the assignment to avoid grammatical errors like dangling modifiers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tasked with

A more concise and active-sounding alternative often used in corporate and military contexts

assigned the duty

More formal and often carries a sense of moral or professional obligation

charged with the responsibility

Heightens the importance and gravity of the assignment

delegated the work

Emphasizes the transfer of authority from a superior to a subordinate

entrusted with the mission

Suggests a high level of trust and a specific, goal-oriented objective

appointed to the role

Focuses on the designation of a position rather than a single specific action

designated to handle

Specifies the person chosen for a particular function

allocated the job

Common in resource management and project planning contexts

commissioned to

Often used for creative, artistic or formal investigative assignments

given the chore

Used for more mundane, repetitive or unpleasant daily activities

FAQs

How to use "given the task" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an assignment, such as "She was "given the task of" leading the new project team".

What is the difference between "given the task" and "tasked with"?

While both are correct, ""tasked with"" is often perceived as more contemporary and efficient, whereas "given the task" is a more traditional, descriptive passive form.

Is it "given the task of" or "given the task to"?

Both are grammatically valid. "Given the task of" is usually followed by a noun or gerund, while "given the task to" is followed by a base verb. However, "given the task of" is significantly more common in high-quality writing.

What can I say instead of "given the task"?

Depending on the level of formality, you might use "assigned the duty", "entrusted with" or simply "made responsible for".