main tasks was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main tasks was" is not correct in written English due to subject-verb agreement issues.
It can be used when referring to a singular subject, but it should be "main task was" or "main tasks were" depending on the context. Example: "One of the main tasks was to improve team communication."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

One of the panel's main tasks was gauging the severity of Mr. Mineo's internal injuries.

The New York Times

One of his main tasks was farm work – and that's husbandry, a term still used today.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of Steve's main tasks was to bike alongside Ryan on hard days, handing him energy drinks every fifteen minutes.

The New Yorker

Mr. Aaron's failure to plan for an unexpected turn of events at his company was not without irony, since one of his main tasks was helping other companies prepare for unforeseen setbacks.

The New York Times

From the 1960s one of the ECSC's main tasks was to supervise its members' reduction of their excess production of coal as that mineral was replaced by petroleum as an industrial fuel.

Britannica

He ruled with the help of a bureaucratic caste, subject to no external controls and above the law, and the army, one of whose main tasks was maintaining internal order.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Among its main tasks is to build a functioning judiciary.

The Guardian

One of his main tasks is to prevent smuggling, particularly narcotics.

The New Yorker

One of the Berlin Opera Foundation's main tasks is to keep the repertory fresh.

The New York Times - Arts

As returning protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze, one of the main tasks is to build an assassin army to do your bidding.

The Guardian - Tech

One of its main tasks is review all major building projects and advise how they can be improved.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure subject-verb agreement. If referring to multiple tasks, use "were"; if referring to a single task, use "was". For example, "The main tasks were..." or "The main task was...".

Common error

Avoid using "main tasks was" because "tasks" is plural, requiring the plural verb "were". Always match the verb form to the number of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main tasks was" attempts to identify the primary duties or responsibilities. However, this construction presents a grammatical error. The intended function is to denote the most important duties. Ludwig AI highlights the inaccuracy.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "main tasks was" is grammatically incorrect due to a subject-verb disagreement. "Tasks" is plural and requires the plural verb "were". As Ludwig AI indicates, the proper phrasing would be "main task was" for a single task or "main tasks were" for multiple tasks. Since no examples of the phrase were found, it is recommended to use grammatically correct alternatives such as primary responsibilities were, "key objective was", or "principal duty was" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main task was

Changes the plural "tasks" to the singular "task", correcting the subject-verb agreement to match the singular verb "was".

main tasks were

Corrects the subject-verb agreement by using the plural verb "were" to match the plural noun "tasks".

primary responsibility was

Substitutes "tasks" with "responsibility", shifting to a singular noun that agrees with "was".

key objective was

Replaces "tasks" with "objective", using a singular noun to match "was", and changing the focus to a goal-oriented term.

principal duty was

Replaces "tasks" with "duty", using a singular noun to agree with "was", and implies a formal obligation.

major undertaking was

Changes "tasks" to "undertaking", using a singular noun that agrees with "was", suggesting a significant project or effort.

chief concern was

Replaces "tasks" with "concern", using a singular noun to match "was", focusing on a worry or priority.

central aim was

Changes "tasks" to "aim", using a singular noun to agree with "was", emphasizing a specific goal or purpose.

overriding goal was

Replaces "tasks" with "goal", a singular noun agreeing with "was", highlighting the most important objective.

essential function was

Replaces "tasks" with "function", a singular noun that agrees with "was", emphasizing a necessary action or process.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "main tasks was"?

The correct phrasing depends on whether you're referring to one task or multiple. Use "main task was" for a single task, or "main tasks were" for multiple tasks.

What are some alternatives to using "main tasks was"?

Instead of "main tasks was", you could say "primary responsibilities were", "key objectives were", or "principal duties were", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "main task was" or "main tasks was"?

"Main task was" is correct when referring to a singular task. "Main tasks was" is grammatically incorrect; the correct plural form is "main tasks were".

Is "main responsibility was" better than "main tasks was"?

"Main responsibility was" is grammatically sound, using a singular noun and verb. "Main tasks was" is incorrect due to subject-verb disagreement; the correct version is "main tasks were".