immediate task

USAGE SUMMARY

"immediate task" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
An example sentence might be: "I'm afraid I can't help you right now; I need to focus on my immediate task."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So to the immediate task in hand.

The Guardian - Sport

That is his immediate task now in London.

The Guardian - Sport

The immediate task, however, is establishing what was lost.

The Guardian

It is a much more difficult but nevertheless more immediate task.

The New York Times

But first, supporters and rivals alike say, Mr. Wasserstein has a more immediate task.

The New York Times

MS. MULCAHY'S immediate task is to share duties with Mr. Zimmerman.

The New York Times

Their immediate task is to lease drilling rights from local landowners — farmers, mainly.

The New Yorker

Joshua's immediate task is to beat Cammarelle and grab that gold medal.

The Guardian - Sport

When Ive took control of Human Interface, in 2012, his immediate task was reforming the iOS.

The New Yorker

An immediate task will be to organize the process for deciding how to rebuild our city.

The New York Times

Our immediate task is to restore the liberties we've lost in the past decade and more.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immediate task" when you want to emphasize the urgency and importance of a particular action or responsibility that needs to be addressed without delay.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate task" when referring to broader strategic objectives or long-term plans. An "immediate task" should be a concrete, actionable item that can be completed relatively quickly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate task" functions as a noun phrase, where "immediate" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "task". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is used to describe a specific duty or action that requires prompt attention. Examples show it often precedes a description of that specific task.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediate task" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a pressing responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and prevalence in diverse sources. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it is used to highlight actions requiring prompt attention. Alternative phrases include "urgent assignment" and "pressing matter". When employing this phrase, it's best to avoid redundancy and ensure it aligns with short-term, actionable items rather than long-term objectives. This is supported by the extensive example list provided by Ludwig, demonstrating its versatility and common application in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urgent assignment

Replaces 'task' with 'assignment' and 'immediate' with 'urgent', emphasizing the time-sensitive nature.

pressing matter

Substitutes 'task' with 'matter', highlighting the importance and need for immediate attention.

primary responsibility

Replaces "immediate task" with a more formal expression focusing on duty and importance.

top priority

Focuses on ranking the task as the most important thing to do now.

initial action

Highlights the beginning or first step in a series of actions.

first order of business

Replaces "immediate task" with an idiom that conveys the first and most important thing to do.

most urgent issue

Emphasizes the urgency and importance of the issue at hand.

current obligation

Focuses on the sense of duty and the present nature of the task.

present concern

Highlights the task as a matter of worry or attention at the current time.

on-the-spot responsibility

Emphasizes the direct and immediate nature of the responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "immediate task" to describe an action that needs to be done right away. For example, "The council's "immediate task" is to name a new mayor."

What are some alternatives to "immediate task"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "urgent assignment", "pressing matter", or "top priority" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "very immediate task"?

While not strictly incorrect, using "very immediate task" can be seen as redundant because "immediate" already implies urgency and a lack of delay. Consider rephrasing to highlight the significance of the "urgent assignment".

What's the difference between "immediate task" and "long-term goal"?

"Immediate task" refers to something that needs to be done now or very soon, while "long-term goal" describes a broader objective to be achieved over a longer period. For example, tackling the "pressing matter" of debt reduction vs strategic financial planning.