pick up the tasks

USAGE SUMMARY

"pick up the tasks" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that is used to mean "resume responsibility for tasks". Example sentence: After returning from vacation, John needed to pick up the tasks he had left unfinished.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Workers pick up the tasks that interest them and for which they are qualified, but as independent contractors they work on their own schedules.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You pick up the task.

Forbes

Officers and senior enlisted members pick up the task once new Marines report to their first duty stations.

Los Angeles Times

Thus, in order to maximize the performance of this procedure, an adequate planning of the graphics pipeline is needed, picking up the tasks that can be run on the CPU and the ones that can be transferred to the GPU, as well as a proper use of all the memory hierarchy.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Another first-time volunteer, William Berk, a medical student at Brown, picked up the task in the afternoon.

The New York Times

While some of the participants picked up the task almost immediately, others improved slowly over the course of the study.

Huffington Post

The DOJ stopped enforcing most of the anti-trust laws during the Reagan administration, and no administration since has picked up the task since.

HuffPost

The second, to paraphrase the great Fiorello LaGuardia, is that "there is no Democratic or Republican way to pick up the garbage". Many of the tasks of local government are routine service delivery functions that have been slowly improving for decades, and every mayor has done their bit to ensure that these nonpartisan businesslike operations are left alone to do their job.

HuffPost

The Justice Department is relying more than ever on the state and local authorities to pick up the slack through joint task forces.

The New York Times

A bookkeeper can pick up these tasks so that you can tie each transaction back to a particular client, spot cash flow issues before they worsen and ensure you're not missing important payments.

Forbes

However, they come up against a Chelsea side that is yet to experience anything other than victory in the league, and with the knowledge that Wenger has never got the better of Jose Mourinho, the North London side face a difficult task to pick up the win and reduce the six point gap that already stands between the two sides.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pick up the tasks", ensure the context clearly indicates that someone is either resuming previously interrupted work or taking over tasks from someone else. It's most effective when highlighting continuity or transition of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "pick up the tasks" when you simply mean to start new tasks. The phrase inherently implies a continuation or resumption, not an initiation. Using alternatives like "begin the tasks" or "start working on the tasks" can prevent this misunderstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up the tasks" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the predicate or part of the predicate. It describes an action of resuming or taking over responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pick up the tasks" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe the action of resuming work or taking over responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not incredibly frequent, it is commonly found in news, science and business contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "resume the tasks" or "undertake the tasks". When writing, it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates a continuation or transition of duties to avoid any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resume the tasks

This phrase directly implies a continuation or return to previously started work.

take over the tasks

Implies assuming control and responsibility from someone else.

assume responsibility for the tasks

This is a more formal and explicit way of stating the act of taking on duties.

shoulder the tasks

This implies a willingness to carry the burden of duties, often under duress.

tackle the tasks

Emphasizes an energetic and problem-solving approach to the duties at hand.

undertake the tasks

This suggests a formal commitment to engage in the assigned duties.

attend to the tasks

Implies giving focus and care to the completion of duties.

see to the tasks

This means ensuring that the duties are completed or handled appropriately.

get on with the tasks

This phrase focuses on moving forward and dealing with the duties immediately.

recommence the tasks

A more formal synonym for resuming, especially after an interruption.

FAQs

What does "pick up the tasks" mean?

The phrase "pick up the tasks" means to resume responsibility for tasks that were previously interrupted or to take over tasks that someone else was handling. It implies a continuation or transition of duties.

When is it appropriate to use "pick up the tasks" in a sentence?

It's appropriate to use "pick up the tasks" when you want to convey that someone is continuing work that has already begun or taking over duties from another person. For example, "After her vacation, she had to "resume the tasks"".

What are some alternatives to "pick up the tasks"?

Some alternatives to "pick up the tasks" include "resume the tasks", "take over the tasks", or "assume responsibility for the tasks". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "pick up the tasks" formal or informal?

"Pick up the tasks" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both informal and professional contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "undertake the tasks" might be preferred in highly formal settings.