undertake

USAGE SUMMARY

'undertake' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking on a task, responsibility, or project. Example sentence: She decided to undertake a difficult research project for her thesis.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is designed to ensure that the 50,000 young people "most at risk of starting a life on benefits" find that their first contact with the benefits system is a requirement to undertake community work and search for jobs.

The Guardian

That's a very big job which we don't feel we're able to undertake: the library could need 20 to 40 volunteers.

The Guardian - Books

We feel it is really important that big companies are held to account for the way in which they undertake their activities abroad – especially when those activities take place in remote corners of faraway places, out of the public gaze".

The Guardian

This is part and parcel of being in an oppressed group: women are routinely dehumanised and homogenised, so that every act we undertake in public tends to reflect on all women, instead of our own individual character.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Tories now undertake a community action project at their party conference, and in a speech to the Conservative social action conference last month Cameron argued that social action projects to engage young people in politics could act as an antidote to the expenses scandal and prove that politics can change things.

The Guardian

In 1984, Sexton came to the island to undertake covert nest surveillance.

The Guardian

We will also undertake a thorough review of NHS costs and funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of the health service".

The Guardian

"The work Galaxy Research will undertake for the Australian under the Newspoll banner will be separate to the research it does for News Corp Australia's metro mastheads.

The Guardian

If our further investigation into the performance of UKPN and SSE during the 2013 Christmas storms suggests that these companies have breached their licence conditions, we will undertake enforcement action that could result in a financial penalty," she added.

The Guardian - Business

Some 77 countries still restrict the type of work women can undertake, with bans on night-time work – as was the case until recently in Bolivia – or construction jobs.

The Guardian

The irony of an innocent man having to undertake a process of disguise that is generally required only of notorious released convicts is one of many smart moments in the script.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undertake" when you want to convey a sense of formality and commitment to a task or project. It's particularly suitable for official or serious contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "take on" or "do" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "undertake" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating the task, responsibility, or project being initiated or committed to. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undertake" is a versatile transitive verb best suited for formal and professional contexts, where it conveys a sense of commitment and initiative. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While it's a very common term, it's essential to avoid overuse in informal settings, opting for simpler alternatives like "take on" or "do". When choosing between "undertake" and similar words, consider the level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that according to Ludwig, "undertake" means to commit to or begin something, while "undergo" means to experience something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on

This alternative is less formal and implies accepting a responsibility or task.

embark on

This alternative suggests starting a new and significant project or venture.

carry out

This alternative focuses on the execution and completion of a task or plan.

execute

This alternative emphasizes the skillful and efficient performance of a task.

perform

This alternative refers to the act of doing something, often in a formal or public setting.

pursue

This alternative implies following a course of action with determination.

engage in

This alternative suggests participating or being involved in an activity.

set about

This alternative means starting to do something, typically in an organized manner.

tackle

This alternative implies dealing with a difficult task or problem.

shoulder

This alternative means to accept responsibility or burden.

FAQs

How to use "undertake" in a sentence?

"Undertake" is a verb that means to commit to or begin something. For example, "The company will "undertake" a new marketing campaign" or "She decided to "undertake" the challenge."

What can I say instead of "undertake"?

You can use alternatives like "take on", "embark on", or "carry out" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "undertake" or "undergo"?

"Undertake" means to commit to or begin something, while "undergo" means to experience or be subjected to something. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "undertake" and "attempt"?

"Undertake" implies a more serious commitment and a higher probability of completion than "attempt". To "undertake" suggests a firm intention to see something through, whereas an attempt may or may not succeed.