the quest at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the quest at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the current task or challenge that someone is facing or dealing with. Example: "In order to succeed, we must focus on the quest at hand and not get distracted by other issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If the quest at hand was challenging, he embraced it.

The New York Times - Sports

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

'Teeth, sir, are the enamelled grails of the quest in hand.

The Guardian - Books

The quest can become particularly desperate when the comedy at hand is really old.

The New York Times

Whether we enjoy the work at hand seems to come as an afterthought in the quest for success.

Forbes

Aronofsky is after the inner life, and pursues it as deeply and as relentlessly as a novelist or a painter; he uses the tools at hand to get at it, and he also dramatizes his own quest.

The New Yorker

The task at hand.

WikiHow

Tackle the issue at hand.

WikiHow

Explain the problem at hand.

WikiHow

The time is at hand!

The Economist

The quest continues, or at least I hope it does.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the quest at hand" to create a slightly more elevated or literary tone when referring to a task or challenge, rather than more common alternatives like "the task at hand".

Common error

Avoid using "the quest at hand" in very casual or informal settings. It can sound overly formal or affected in everyday conversation. Consider more straightforward alternatives like "what we need to do now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the quest at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a complement to a verb. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the quest at hand" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote the current objective or challenge requiring focus. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in English writing. While versatile, it's more suited for neutral to formal contexts such as news, academic writing, and professional communications, rather than casual conversations. Alternatives like "the task at hand" or "the current endeavor" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. When aiming for an elevated tone or emphasizing the importance of an undertaking, "the quest at hand" is a suitable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the task at hand

A more common and general alternative, focusing on the work that needs to be done.

the immediate objective

Focuses on the directness and immediacy of the goal.

the present challenge

Highlights the difficulty and demanding nature of the current task.

the goal in sight

Emphasizes the vision that has to be attained.

the current endeavor

Emphasizes the effort and ambition involved in the undertaking.

the present undertaking

Highlights the activity.

the ongoing pursuit

Highlights the continuous and developing nature of the task.

the matter in question

Focuses on the specific issue being discussed or addressed.

the issue at stake

Emphasizes what could be gained or lost depending on the outcome.

the problem before us

Highlights the shared nature of the challenge and the need for collaboration.

FAQs

What does "the quest at hand" mean?

The phrase "the quest at hand" refers to the current task, challenge, or objective that needs to be addressed or completed.

How can I use "the quest at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "the quest at hand" to emphasize the importance or focus required for a particular task. For example, "Let's concentrate on "the quest at hand" and avoid distractions."

What are some alternatives to "the quest at hand"?

Some alternatives to "the quest at hand" include "the task at hand", "the present challenge", or "the current endeavor".

Is "the quest at hand" formal or informal?

"The quest at hand" is somewhat formal. In very casual contexts, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.