he tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he tasks" is not correct in standard written English as it lacks context and clarity.
It could potentially be used in a context where "tasks" is a verb, but it would need additional information to make sense. Example: "He tasks his team with completing the project by the end of the week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In "Space Seed" Khan cites Milton ("Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven…"); by "Star Trek II" he's on to Melville ("He tasks me!").

The New Yorker

As Michael moves his operations to Nevada, he tasks the player with consolidating mafia control of New York, South Florida and Cuba (conveniently leaving Tom Hagen, voiced by Robert Duvall, to stay behind as the player's consigliere).

The New York Times - Arts

He tasks Marceau with ensuring that Poirot's journey on the Orient Express is favourable.

Wikipedia

He tasks them with finding the angel Joshua, who communicates directly with God.

Wikipedia

He tasks her with helping him fight crime on a virtual front, and shows her a new modified Batgirl design that acts as her virtual avatar.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He tasked her with making from scratch every black pigment listed in "Il Libro dell'Arte," a Renaissance treatise.

The New Yorker

He tasked them with remembering a long shopping list with items like steering wheel, windshield wipers, headlights, and so on.

BBC

When Larry Page became CEO in 2011, he tasked designers with overhauling Google's look – from Gmail to maps.

BBC

He tasked his son with an ambitious project: create an artisanal fabrication of goat cheese.

Huffington Post

"Why is he tasking us again for this job?" the classmate asked, pretending to be Sgt. Cole.

Huffington Post

But The Boston Globe reported last week that he tasked attorney Marc Elias with studying how manageable the loss would be.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using a verb related to assigning duties, choose a more common and grammatically accepted alternative like "assigns", "delegates", or "entrusts" to ensure clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using uncommon or grammatically questionable phrases like "he tasks" when clearer alternatives are available. Using "he assigns" or "he delegates" often improves clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he tasks" functions as a verb phrase where "tasks" is used as a transitive verb, indicating the action of assigning a duty or responsibility. As Ludwig indicates, this usage is not standard and may require clarification for better understanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he tasks" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable way to describe the assignment of a task or duty. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase lacks context and clarity. While it appears in some sources, including news and wiki articles, it's advisable to use more standard alternatives like "he assigns" or "he delegates" for improved clarity and formality. For the best writing practices, opting for those accepted alternatives will avoid potential misunderstandings and maintain a professional tone. Because of these points, the phrase is best avoided for clear and grammatically sound writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he assigns

Directly indicates the act of giving someone a task or duty. It is a more common and grammatically sound alternative.

he delegates

Implies giving authority along with a task, suggesting trust and empowerment. More formal than "he tasks".

he entrusts

Highlights the aspect of trusting someone with a responsibility. More emphatic than a simple assignment.

he commissions

Suggests formally ordering or requesting something to be done, often for a specific project.

he charges

Emphasizes the importance or urgency of the task. Can also imply a formal or legal responsibility.

he bids

Suggests a command or instruction, often in a formal or literary context.

he appoints

Indicates selecting someone for a specific role or duty. Often implies an official position.

he instructs

Focuses on providing directions or guidance on how to perform a task.

he directs

Suggests taking control and giving specific orders. Can be more assertive than simply assigning.

he ordains

Implies a formal or authoritative assignment, often with a religious or ceremonial connotation.

FAQs

What's a more grammatically correct way to say "he tasks"?

Instead of "he tasks", consider using alternatives like "he assigns", "he delegates", or "he entrusts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts might I see the phrase "he tasks" used?

While not standard, "he tasks" might appear in informal writing or creative contexts. However, for professional or academic writing, it's best to use a more widely accepted alternative to ensure clarity.

How does "he tasks" differ from "he assigns"?

"He assigns" is a more direct and common way of saying that someone is given a task or duty. "He tasks" is less common and can sound awkward or archaic to modern ears. Using "he assigns" is generally preferred for its clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "he tasks" considered formal or informal language?

Due to its uncommon usage, "he tasks" doesn't neatly fit into either formal or informal categories. However, it's generally safer to avoid it in formal contexts and opt for clearer, more standard alternatives like "he delegates" or "he commissions".