he was tasked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was tasked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who has been assigned a specific duty or responsibility. Example: "He was tasked with leading the project to completion within the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was tasked with supervising ten Indian workers who cleaned soldiers' showers and toilets.

The New Yorker

He was tasked with finding corpses in a mock-up bomb site – and found no one.

The Guardian

"He was tasked with providing some sort of ethical parameters for government work.

The New York Times

He was tasked with bringing his retail expertise to the high street banking business.

The Guardian - Business

When Mr. Joyce took control of Knight in 2002, he was tasked with cleaning up the firm.

The New York Times

As the last governor of Hong Kong, he was tasked with overseeing the handover of the colony to Chinese rule.

Independent

His patience finally ran out after the failed bridge-burning episode of November 1861, after which he was tasked with spearheading offensive operations into Kentucky during the winter.

The New York Times

As a freshman he was tasked with guarding the dynamic guard Preston Knowles, and then it was Siva, and then Russ Smith.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, he was tasked with coordinating the myriad activities of some 46 different state and federal agencies related to his chain of command.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1964 Ellsberg left RAND to join the Department of Defense, where he was tasked with analyzing the expanding U.S. military effort in Vietnam.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As such, he was tasked with securing its future at a time of rapid technical, cultural, and economic changes in world broadcasting.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was tasked", ensure the context clearly indicates who assigned the task and what the task entailed for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences like "He was tasked." Always specify what he was tasked to do for better context and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was tasked" functions as a passive construction used to indicate that someone has been assigned a specific job or responsibility. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its usability. Examples show it is used to describe assigned duties across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was tasked" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone was assigned a specific duty or responsibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. It is particularly prevalent in news media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies the assignee, the assigner (if relevant), and the details of the task itself for clarity. Consider alternatives like "he was assigned" or "he was responsible" to vary your writing. Be aware that omitting the task details can lead to vagueness. Always provide sufficient context to ensure your message is clear and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was assigned

This alternative directly replaces "tasked" with "assigned", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

he was charged with

This option implies a formal responsibility or duty given to someone.

he was entrusted with

This suggests that someone was given a task that requires trust and confidence.

he was given the responsibility

This phrase emphasizes the responsibility aspect of the assignment.

he had the duty to

This focuses on the obligation associated with the task.

he was appointed to

Implies a more official designation to a role or duty.

he was designated to

This suggests a formal selection or designation for a specific purpose.

he was commissioned to

This is often used for creative or official projects.

he was delegated to

Suggests authority was passed down to him to complete it.

it was his job to

A more straightforward and informal way to describe his responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "he was tasked" in a sentence?

Use "he was tasked" when you want to describe that someone was assigned a specific duty or responsibility. For example, "He was tasked with leading the project".

What are some alternatives to "he was tasked"?

You can use alternatives like "he was assigned", "he was charged with", or "he was given the responsibility" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a task assignment?

Using the active voice (e.g., "They tasked him with...") puts emphasis on the assigner, while using the passive voice ("he was tasked with...") emphasizes the assignee and the task itself.

What's the difference between "he was tasked" and "he was responsible for"?

"He was tasked" implies a specific assignment or mission given to someone. "He was responsible for" indicates a broader, ongoing accountability for something. You can use "he was responsible" when you want to emphasize a duty to be performed.