undertake the task of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake the task of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of taking on a specific responsibility or duty. Example: "She decided to undertake the task of organizing the charity event for the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Perhaps only science could effectively undertake the task of freeing sexuality from science itself.

The New Yorker

It is highly recommended to undertake the task of learning, practicing, and tinkering.

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It was largely this logic that drove the United States to undertake the task of reconstructing Iraq.

The New York Times - Magazine

I find myself torn between admiration and bewilderment as I think about those staunch enough to undertake the task of judging their peers under impossible circumstances.

The New York Times

Lessing wrote in her will, dated to 2009, that she wished Michael Holroyd, the award-winning biographer of George Bernard Shaw, to undertake the task of writing her own life.

The Guardian - Books

One of his final acts as Dean was to ask that a faculty committee undertake the task of defining the objectives of the College and re-examining its programs and requirements with regard to these objectives.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

In memory of John, Kipling, at fifty years old, undertook the task of writing the history of the Irish Guards.

The New Yorker

Over the last two years, I undertook the task of reading as much of the British short story as I humanly could.

The Guardian - Books

In our county alone, the League of Women Voters has undertaken the task of signing on each of our municipalities to the agreement.

The New York Times

Joseph Heller undertook the task of giving flesh and wit to Helen Gurley Brown's self-help manual Sex and the Single Girl.

The Guardian - Film

No one, though, has ever undertaken the task of defending Kew Gardens as assiduously as Joseph De May Jr.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undertake the task of" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and serious nature of starting a project or accepting a responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake the task of" in informal settings or when describing simple actions. Opt for simpler alternatives like "start doing" or "begin to" to maintain a natural flow. The formality of this phrase can feel out of place in casual conversation or writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake the task of" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement or acceptance of a specific duty or responsibility. It emphasizes a deliberate and often challenging undertaking, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undertake the task of" is a formal phrase used to describe the commencement of a significant project or responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While authoritative, it's important to be mindful of the tone and choose more casual alternatives like "take on the job of" or "start doing" in informal settings. Remember to always define the task clearly to justify the formality of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on the job of

Uses a more informal term "job" instead of "task".

assume responsibility for

Focuses on the responsibility aspect rather than the specific task.

embark on the mission to

Implies a more significant and purposeful undertaking.

set about the business of

Indicates a practical and methodical approach.

dedicate oneself to the endeavor of

Highlights the commitment and effort involved.

commit to the project of

More suitable for planned activities with a clear objective.

shoulder the responsibility to

Emphasizes the burden or weight of the task.

tackle the challenge of

Focuses on the difficulty and problem-solving aspect.

set out to accomplish

Highlights the intention and goal-oriented nature of the action.

get down to the business of

A more colloquial and direct way of expressing the beginning of a task.

FAQs

How can I use "undertake the task of" in a sentence?

Use "undertake the task of" to describe the act of beginning a significant or challenging project or responsibility. For example, "The team will undertake the task of redesigning the website".

What are some alternatives to "undertake the task of"?

You can use alternatives like "take on the job of", "assume responsibility for", or "embark on the mission to" depending on the context.

Is "undertake the task of" formal or informal?

"Undertake the task of" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, alternatives like "start doing" or "begin to" might be more appropriate.

Which is correct, "undertake the task of" or "undertake to"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Undertake the task of" refers to beginning a specific project or responsibility, while "undertake to" means to promise or agree to do something. For example, "I undertake the task of writing the report" vs. "I undertake to complete the project by Friday".