literary task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "literary task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific assignment or activity related to literature, such as reading, writing, or analyzing texts. Example: "For your homework, please complete the literary task of analyzing the themes in the novel we discussed in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sir Max's careful labor on these pages was the last literary task he ever undertook.

The New Yorker

Where White's literary task was to study the fate of epic ideals in a recognizably real world, Tolkien's was to find a way to create the illusion of the real world in an idealized epic one.

The New Yorker

In the novel, Haroun writes that his literary task is to "take one by one the stones of the old homes of the colonists and make of them a home of my own, a language to myself".

The New Yorker

The classic instance of this is Marlow's belated understanding of the arrows hitting the boat in Heart of Darkness Critics have connected delayed decoding to impressionism and phenomenology, and Conrad himself described his literary task as "to make you hear, to make you feel... before all, to make you see".

The Guardian - Books

His main literary task during these years was a biography and critical study of the complete works of the 17th-century cleric Jeremy Taylor; the works, with Heber's critique, were published in 15 volumes between 1820 and 1822.

Wikipedia

Through the winter of 1937 38 Mitford's main literary task was editing the letters of her cousins the Stanleys of Alderley, with whom she was connected through her great-grandmother Blanche Airlie.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The jinshi ("doctorate degree") led to his appointment to the Hanlin Academy, a body of the most outstanding scholars in the country, which performed literary tasks for the court; and Zeng served continuously in the capital for more than 13 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The question of how to characterise and then, within the economy of knowledge given by the book's conclusion, to place the narrative voice of the different sections of Atonement constitutes a peculiarly literary-critical task, one which no amount of plot summary or "liking" or "disliking" the characters will enable the reader to address.

The Guardian - Books

Writers, bloggers and commentators around the world have continued to take the literary lion to task.

The New York Times

Primarily, she devoted herself to the thankless task of literary executorship.

The New York Times - Books

He had been quick to identify the brilliance of a young American in London called Ezra Pound, and instrumental in shaping the early reception of Walter de la Mare, WH Davies and many others besides; and he was quite undaunted in taking to task the literary giants of the day if they fell below the mark, be they Thomas Hardy, Rudyard Kipling or WB Yeats.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "literary task" to specifically denote work related to literature, distinguishing it from other kinds of tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "literary task" in casual conversation; it may sound pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "writing assignment" or "reading work" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "literary task" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to a specific assignment or activity related to literature. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "literary task" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to identify a specific piece of work related to literature. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, its frequency is classified as uncommon. It is found primarily in news and media, wikis, and encyclopedias, leaning towards a neutral to formal register. Alternatives include "writing assignment" or "literary project", depending on the context. When writing, use "literary task" to specifically denote work related to literature, but be mindful of overly formal tone in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

literary project

A more generic and broad term for a plan or scheme to achieve the literary goal.

writing assignment

Focuses specifically on the act of writing, rather than a broader literary endeavor.

literary endeavor

Emphasizes the effort and ambition involved in a literary pursuit.

literary undertaking

Highlights the commitment and responsibility associated with a literary project.

critical analysis

Specifies a task involving the in-depth evaluation of a literary work.

scholarly pursuit

Indicates an academic or research-oriented literary activity.

literary challenge

Implies a more difficult or demanding piece of literary work.

editorial work

Refers to the process of editing and refining literary content.

creative writing project

Focuses on the task of producing original literary content.

literary work

Refers to the activity of engaging in literature.

FAQs

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

You can use "literary task" to describe any assignment or activity related to literature. For example: "The student's "literary task" was to analyze the symbolism in the poem."

What are some alternatives to "literary task"?

Alternatives include "writing assignment", "literary project", or "critical analysis" depending on the specific context.

Is "literary task" formal or informal?

"Literary task" leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversation, simpler terms like "reading assignment" or "writing work" might be more appropriate.

Which is correct: "literary task" or "literature task"?

"Literary task" is the more common and grammatically correct phrasing. "Literature task" is less frequently used and may sound awkward.