undertake the bulk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake the bulk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking on the majority of a task or responsibility. Example: "In this project, I will undertake the bulk of the research to ensure we meet our deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Bruce agreed to undertake the bulk of the singing only after other possibilities had been explored, notably Ray Phillips of the Nashville Teens and the Spencer Davis Group's Steve Winwood.

The Guardian - Music

WHEN Sacyr, a Spanish construction firm, won a 2009 tender to undertake the bulk of the $5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal, its then-chairman crowed "Asi, asi, asi gana Sacyr" ("That is how Sacyr wins"), a play on a catchy rhyme long used by Real Madrid football fans.

The Economist

The Investigatory Powers Act, approved by Parliament last month, enables the British government to undertake the bulk interception of electronic communications of ordinary citizens.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Government senate leader Eric Abetz offered the following rationale: In order to better service the media priorities of the prime minister, and to do so without incurring costly contracting or outsourcing charges, the prime minister's press office undertakes the bulk of photography and video work in-house.

The Guardian

For the reality was that the Soviets undertook the bulk of the land war against Nazi Germany, incurring over 20 million dead after the Nazi invasion nearly took Moscow at the end of 1941.

Huffington Post

RJ undertook data collection, coding, wrote the first draft, and undertook the bulk of subsequent edits.

Globalization and Health

SP undertook the bulk of the experimental work and analysis and wrote the manuscript.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Most undertook the bulk of the domestic duties; this was suggested to be the cultural norm for each of the groups.

BMC Public Health

We have undertaken the simulation of hydrodynamic flows with bulk Lorentz factors in the range 102 106.

Journal of Computational Physics

The agencies make a distinction between intrusive "mass surveillance", which they insist they do not undertake, and "bulk interception" of electronic communciations, which they say is necessary in order to carry out targeted searches of data in pursuit of terrorist or criminal activity.

The Guardian

The intelligence agency makes a distinction between intrusive mass surveillance, which it insists it does not undertake, and bulk interception of electronic communciations, which it says is necessary to carry out targeted searches of data in pursuit of terrorist or criminal activity.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undertake the bulk" when you want to convey a sense of formal responsibility and significant effort in handling a major part of a task or project. For example: "The research team will "undertake the bulk" of the data analysis."

Common error

Avoid using "undertake the bulk" in informal or casual contexts. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. In those cases, simpler alternatives like "handle the majority" or "take on most of the work" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake the bulk" functions as a verb phrase, where "undertake" acts as the main verb and "the bulk" functions as its direct object. This indicates the action of assuming responsibility for the major part of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undertake the bulk" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the action of taking on the major portion of a task or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, suggesting a formal or professional register. While semantically sound, the phrase is relatively rare, indicating that simpler alternatives may be preferred in everyday communication. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants the formality and weight it carries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on the greater part

A more literal substitution, maintaining a similar level of formality.

handle the majority

Replaces "undertake" with a more common verb, making it slightly less formal.

carry out the largest portion

Focuses on the action of carrying out the most significant part.

tackle the core aspect

Emphasizes actively addressing the central element of a task.

manage the lion's share

Uses a metaphorical expression to emphasize the significant portion being handled.

assume the main responsibility

Focuses on the responsibility aspect of handling the major part.

address the predominant part

Highlights dealing with the most significant aspect.

shoulder the major burden

Emphasizes the effort and potential difficulty involved.

oversee the greater part

Focuses on the supervisory aspect of managing a major portion.

execute the principal component

Suitable for technical contexts, highlighting the execution of the main element.

FAQs

What does "undertake the bulk" mean?

The phrase "undertake the bulk" means to take on or handle the majority or a significant portion of a task, responsibility, or workload. It implies a formal and committed approach to managing a substantial part of something.

How can I use "undertake the bulk" in a sentence?

You can use "undertake the bulk" in sentences like: "The construction firm will "undertake the bulk" of the canal expansion project", or "She agreed to "undertake the bulk" of the research for the report."

What are some alternatives to "undertake the bulk"?

Alternatives to "undertake the bulk" include "handle the majority", "assume the main responsibility", or "take on the greater part". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "undertake the bulk" or "undertake most of"?

"Undertake the bulk" and "undertake most of" are similar, but "undertake the bulk" implies a more significant portion or a more formal responsibility. The choice depends on the context; "undertake the bulk" is generally more emphatic.