take on an assignment

USAGE SUMMARY

"take on an assignment" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone accepts responsibility for a task. For example, "I decided to take on the assignment of planning the company picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In fact, if anything, with outfits like Amazon Crossing and whatever, there's some bidding down to find the cheapest person to take on an assignment.

Princeton University

Recently, a client asked me to take on an assignment in a hot field where life science meets another technology.

Science Magazine

As a result, the theory goes, those who significantly interrupt their work might as well abandon it, especially if they take on an assignment as daunting as heading a major federal agency.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But in 2000, he took on an assignment that carried him beyond his usual turf.

The New York Times

They were talented, resourceful people who took on an assignment that they knew was as dangerous as it was glamorous.

The New Yorker

In 2011 he took on an assignment for his then-employer — the Burlingame, California-based Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, which is not your typical humane outfit in that it is wildlife-savvy.

The Guardian

After the 2016 election, she took on an assignment closer to home, as lead organizer for Hands Across the Hills, a group that tries to create dialogue among Americans of varying political beliefs.

The New Yorker

Twenty-five years into his career as investment research director, Chuck Cahn took on an assignment that would change not only his own life but that of hundreds of educators and thousands of New York City schoolchildren.

Columbia University

Herlihy: I think we see, whether it is a CIO, CFO, head of Operations or supply chain, or any other role on the executive team, people constantly taking on an assignment, a cross functional initiative, or another function and we do not find it to be odd.

Forbes

Caught, DiCaprio is given a choice of taking on an assignment for Ken Watanabe that if successful would make it possible for him to get out of the U.S. criminal database and return to James and Phillipa.

Huffington Post

Fellows teach one course each semester but may also take on an artistic assignment in lieu of a class, such as directing a play or creating a dance with students.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take on an assignment" when you want to emphasize acceptance of a specific task or project. It suggests a willingness to handle the responsibilities involved.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "take on an assignment" may sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "do a job" or "help with a task" for everyday scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on an assignment" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of accepting or assuming responsibility for a particular task or duty. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take on an assignment" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe accepting responsibility for a task. As Ludwig AI highlights, it’s suitable for written English and implies a deliberate acceptance of a task. While "uncommon" in frequency, it appears across "news & media", "academia", and "formal & business" contexts. When a more casual tone is needed, consider using simpler alternatives. Overall, it’s a clear and direct way to express commitment to handling specific responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertake a task

More formal and emphasizes the commitment to begin and carry out a task.

assume responsibility for a project

Highlights the acceptance of accountability for the project's outcome.

accept a duty

Implies a moral or professional obligation is being embraced.

shoulder a responsibility

Suggests bearing the weight or burden of a task.

tackle a job

Focuses on facing and dealing with a specific job.

handle a mission

Emphasizes managing and executing a specific mission.

embark on an endeavor

A more formal and literary way to describe starting a significant task.

commit to a venture

Highlights the dedication and investment required for a venture.

embrace a challenge

Focuses on willingly accepting a difficult task or problem.

get involved in an activity

Suggests participating or engaging in a particular activity or assignment.

FAQs

How can I use "take on an assignment" in a sentence?

You can use "take on an assignment" to describe accepting a new task or responsibility. For example, "She decided to take on an assignment that required her to travel overseas."

What are some alternatives to "take on an assignment"?

Alternatives include "undertake a task", "assume responsibility for a project", or "accept a duty".

Is "take on an assignment" formal or informal?

"Take on an assignment" leans towards the formal side, suitable for professional or academic settings. In more casual conversations, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "take on an assignment" and "do a task"?

"Take on an assignment" implies a deliberate acceptance of responsibility and a commitment to completing a task, while "do a task" is more general and simply refers to performing the task without necessarily emphasizing commitment or responsibility.