task for two

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "task for two" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an activity or assignment that requires the participation or collaboration of two people. Example: "This project is a task for two, so let's pair up and work on it together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

That is a hell of a task for two weeks.

The New Yorker

The third seat can also be removed, but that is a task for two people.

The New York Times

That may be a tricky task for two Nassau County couples who have found themselves running husband against wife in Tuesday's primaries.

The New York Times

This is a non-trivial task for two arbitrary meshes, but is significantly simplified here by deriving every mesh from a common coarsest initial mesh.

Journal of Computational Physics

But it mostly balances – I deal with emails at the beginning, middle and end of every day, I focus completely on one task for two hours, before moving onto the next.

The Guardian

The work involves concentrating on a single task for two to three hours at a time, and so this work is not suitable for students who have trouble focusing on a task for extended periods.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In one study, 84 subjects were asked to perform a simple computer task for one hour.

Independent

A study by Professor Larry Rosen, California State University, found that people could only focus on a given task for six minutes before utilising some form of technology.

The Guardian

Annoyingly, the authors obscure this by bombarding readers with examples designed to show how cool they are—an uphill task for three middle-aged management consultants from Deloitte.

The Economist

Priced at $5,000, the original Zamboni transformed what had been a backbreaking 90-minute task for three people with shovels and water hoses into a job one person could complete in less than 15 minutes.

The New York Times

Despite rehearsing the task for five whole years, an unexpected glitch plunged him into an abyss of loneliness, not helped by gazing down at his home planet, circling implacably hundreds of miles below.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning a "task for two", clearly define each person's responsibilities to avoid overlap or gaps in the work.

Common error

Don't automatically assume both individuals will contribute equally to a "task for two". Establish expectations and check in regularly to ensure balanced participation and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "task for two" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It describes an assignment or activity designed for two individuals to undertake.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

50%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "task for two" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that effectively describes an activity or assignment intended for two individuals. While Ludwig identifies it as correct, it's important to consider the context. More formal alternatives, like "collaborative effort" or "joint assignment", may be more suitable for academic or professional settings. The frequency of "task for two" is uncommon, appearing in diverse sources such as news media, scientific publications, and academic materials. To ensure clarity, clearly define roles and expectations when assigning a "task for two".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

joint assignment

Replaces 'task' with 'assignment' and emphasizes the collaborative nature with 'joint'.

collaborative effort

Highlights the cooperative aspect, replacing 'task' with 'effort'.

pair project

Simple and direct, suitable for academic or informal contexts.

two-person job

Replaces 'task' with 'job' and explicitly states the requirement of two people.

dual endeavor

More formal and emphasizes the shared undertaking.

partnered activity

Highlights the partnership involved in the activity.

work for two

A more general term that indicates a task that is intended for two people.

cooperative task

Emphasizes the need for cooperation to complete the task.

activity for a pair

Highlights that is an activity designed for a pair of people.

assignment for two individuals

A more formal way to express that an assignment is intended for two people.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "task for two" in a more formal way?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "joint assignment", "collaborative effort", or "dual endeavor".

Is "task for two" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "task for two" may be considered informal for certain academic contexts. Alternatives like "collaborative project" or "pair project" could be more suitable.

What does "task for two" imply about the nature of the work?

It suggests that the work is designed to be completed by two people working together, potentially requiring cooperation, shared responsibility, or division of labor.

When should I use "task for two" instead of "individual task"?

Use "task for two" when the activity is specifically designed for two people to work on together. An "individual task" is meant to be completed by a single person.