mission at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"mission at hand" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually refers to a task or obligation that needs to be urgently carried out or taken care of. For example: "We'll have to work together to accomplish the mission at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

They focus on the mission at hand.

The New York Times

Pilots compartmentalize — separating the virtual reality of the killing from accomplishing the mission at hand.

The New York Times

I quickly learned that stressing about weather and terrain doesn't help the mission at hand or the psyche.

The New York Times

Given the mission at hand, Mr. Donaldson's appointment to lead the S.E.C., the investor's guardian, may be the more troublesome.

The New York Times

The "historical Mission" at hand was "the saving of the Western Civilization from decadence within and from the barbarian without".

The New York Times - Magazine

But there was a serious mission at hand, one that has become especially urgent for this newish condominium: see, yes, but then sell, sell, sell.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Having served on two combat tours to the Middle East with the Hawaii Army National Guard, I know firsthand how essential it is that our service men and women be completely focused on the missions at hand.

Huffington Post

The decimation and ultimate defeat of the French mission at the hands of the former slave Jean-Jacques Dessalines in late 1802 and 1803 turned out to be a key reason behind Napoleon Bonaparte's decision to sell the Louisiana Purchase to the United States.

Duke University

Operationally, she was responsible for leading the on-duty watch team in the safe navigation and operation of the ship, and completing the assigned mission or task at hand.

Harvard University

So what advice can I share with you today? 1. Focus on the purpose at hand; mission, vision and values of your business.

Huffington Post

What tools do leaders need at hand for this mission?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mission at hand", ensure the context clearly defines the specific task or objective being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and keeps the focus sharp.

Common error

Avoid using "mission at hand" in casual conversations or informal writing. It's generally better suited for professional, news-related, or formal contexts where a sense of purpose and urgency is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mission at hand" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the object of a preposition or a complement within a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it denotes the immediate task or objective requiring focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mission at hand" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that refers to the immediate task or objective requiring attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed to emphasize the importance and urgency of the task. While versatile, it's best suited for formal, professional, or news-related contexts, as overuse in casual conversation can sound unnatural. Its function within a sentence is typically as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a preposition or a complement. Common usage involves motivating focus and discouraging distractions. The analyzed examples from Ludwig demonstrate its prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and Forbes, indicating its wide acceptance in formal writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current objective

Focuses on the present aim or goal.

immediate task

Emphasizes the urgency and closeness of the task.

present assignment

Highlights the assigned nature of the work.

ongoing operation

Refers to a continuous and active mission.

current endeavor

Indicates an effort or attempt that is presently happening.

priority objective

Emphasizes that the objective is of high importance and needs immediate attention.

pressing matter

Highlights the urgency and importance of the issue.

task in progress

Focuses on the fact that the task is currently being worked on.

the thing to do

A more informal way of expressing the necessary action.

duty at hand

Highlights the obligatory nature of the task.

FAQs

How can I use "mission at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "mission at hand" to refer to a task or objective that requires immediate attention. For example, "Let's not get distracted; we need to focus on the mission at hand."

What phrases are similar to "mission at hand"?

Similar phrases include "current objective", "immediate task", or "present assignment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mission at hand" appropriate for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "mission at hand" is more suitable for formal, news-related, or professional contexts. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "mission at hand" and "duty at hand"?

"Mission at hand" refers to a specific task or objective, while "duty at hand" emphasizes the obligatory nature of the task. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the goal or the obligation.