the tasks at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

"the tasks at hand" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the current or immediate tasks that need to be completed. Example: "As the deadline approaches, it is important for us to focus on the tasks at hand and prioritize our workload accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was also too busy with the tasks at hand".

The New York Times

The tasks at hand are too tough and too numerous for that.

The New York Times

It motivates people, especially when the tasks at hand require only effort and no skill.

The New York Times

Perhaps some sort of reconciliation is finally beginning to match people with the tasks at hand.

The Washington Post

Their teaching was informal and organic, flowing out of the tasks at hand.

Harvard Business Review

Quirks and twists are part of his personal story and are informing the tasks at hand.

The New York Times

So, the factory seldom needed to use substitute workers, who are less familiar with the tasks at hand.

The New York Times

Non-Profits alone cannot solve the tasks at hand, while many governments are unwilling or unable to act.

The Guardian

When she moves from anthropological classification to fantasy, her figures adapt, evolutionlike, to the tasks at hand.

The New York Times

But some birders criticize that practice, saying it distracts birds from the tasks at hand, like making a nest.

The New York Times

But with so much work to plough through, we often have little choice but to be productive and get on with the tasks at hand.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the tasks at hand", ensure it's clear which specific tasks you're referring to, either through context or explicit listing. This avoids ambiguity and focuses the reader's attention.

Common error

Avoid using "the tasks at hand" when the tasks are undefined or too numerous. Instead, be specific about the responsibilities or use a more general term like "responsibilities" or "priorities".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the tasks at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a preposition or as a subject complement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly identifies and refers to the immediate duties needing attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the tasks at hand" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote immediate responsibilities or duties. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting its versatility. To enhance clarity, ensure the specific tasks are well-defined. While "the tasks at hand" is suitable for various contexts, avoid overuse when referring to broad or undefined duties, and consider alternative phrases for better precision. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes often employ this phrase, indicating its reliability and acceptance in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the current priorities

Focuses on importance and order of immediate duties.

the immediate responsibilities

Highlights obligations needed to be addressed promptly.

the present duties

Emphasizes current obligations that need attention.

the matters in hand

Uses "matters" to refer to ongoing issues or tasks.

the work at hand

Replaces "tasks" with "work", focusing on labor.

the business at hand

Substitutes "tasks" with "business", emphasizing a goal or purpose.

the assignment at hand

More specific, referring to a particular assigned task.

the projects in progress

Highlights ongoing work that is currently active.

the prevailing activities

Focuses on ongoing actions or operations.

the existing obligations

Refers to current commitments or duties.

FAQs

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

You can use "the tasks at hand" to refer to the immediate duties or responsibilities requiring attention. For example, "Let's focus on "the tasks at hand" to meet our deadline."

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

Alternatives include "current priorities", "immediate responsibilities", or "work at hand", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "the task at hand" or "the tasks at hand"?

Use "the task at hand" when referring to a single, specific duty. Use "the tasks at hand" when referring to multiple duties or responsibilities.

How does "the tasks at hand" differ from "the mission at hand"?

"The tasks at hand" refers to specific duties or activities, while "the mission at hand" implies a broader, more strategic objective. They aren't interchangeable.