on the task of

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the task of" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used when discussing a specific task or goal. For example, "The team was focused on the task of creating a new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually, he took on the task of designing one himself.

Vice

Ferry Porsche took on the task of reconnoitering possible sites.

The New York Times

Latte took on the task of rehearsing the opera singers in this difficult composition.

The New York Times - Magazine

Oak Ridge National Lab took on the task of manufacturing it in 2012.

MIT Technology Review

As president, Rupp took on the task of making the University's administration more efficient and transparent.

Columbia University

Axani took on the task of designing a prototype muon detector for use in PINGU.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

James took on the task of defending the Knicks' top scoring threat, Carmelo Anthony.

The New York Times - Sports

Both these Córdoban philosophers took on the task of reconciling reason with faith, of proving that there was a God.

The New Yorker

LocalBox claims to reconcile this problem by taking on the task of cleaning up the data for partners.

TechCrunch

Before they died, Mishler took on the task of transcribing recordings of her father's stories.

Huffington Post

Martin Freeman is a god of an actor for taking on the task of Bilbo.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on the task of", ensure the subsequent verb is in gerund form (e.g., "on the task of managing", "on the task of organizing").

Common error

Avoid using "on the task of" with abstract nouns where direct action is not implied. For example, instead of "on the task of understanding", consider "focused on understanding" or "dedicated to understanding" for smoother phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the task of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating a specific duty, responsibility, or action being undertaken. It sets the context for the activity or goal being addressed, as demonstrated by Ludwig’s examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the task of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to specify the duties, responsibilities, or actions someone is currently engaged in. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for diverse writing scenarios, especially in news, academic, and formal business contexts. While it's a common phrase, be mindful of its length and context to avoid unnecessary verbosity. Consider shorter alternatives where appropriate to streamline your writing, and avoid misusing it with abstract nouns to maintain clarity. With the provided examples and guidance, you're now well-equipped to effectively use "on the task of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tasked with

A more concise alternative, emphasizing the assignment of a task.

with the responsibility for

This alternative shifts the focus slightly from an action to a designated duty.

charged with the duty of

This alternative suggests a more formal or official assignment of responsibility.

given the assignment to

This alternative emphasizes the delegation of the task.

with the aim to

This alternative replaces the idea of duty with that of purpose, framing the action as directed towards a goal.

assuming responsibility for

This alternative suggests taking on a duty oneself, rather than being assigned it.

entrusted with the mission of

This alternative conveys a sense of trust and purpose, indicating a significant responsibility.

focused on the goal of

This alternative centers the action around achieving a specific aim, highlighting intent and direction.

dedicated to the objective of

This alternative replaces the idea of assigned duty with a voluntary commitment.

undertaking the endeavor of

This alternative frames the task as a challenging or significant project.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on the task of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "charged with the duty of", "entrusted with the mission of", or "assuming responsibility for", depending on the context.

What are some less formal alternatives to "on the task of"?

In less formal settings, you might use "tasked with", or "with the responsibility for", which are more concise and conversational.

Is it always necessary to use "on the task of", or can it sometimes be omitted?

While "on the task of" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes be verbose. Depending on the context, you can often streamline your sentence by simply using the verb directly. For instance, instead of "He was on the task of managing the project", you could say "He was managing the project".

What's the difference between "on the task of" and "focused on the goal of"?

"On the task of" emphasizes the duty or action being performed, while "focused on the goal of" highlights the objective or outcome one is trying to achieve. The former is action-oriented, the latter is results-oriented.