undertaking an assignment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertaking an assignment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of starting or engaging in a specific task or project, often in an academic or professional context. Example: "She is currently undertaking an assignment for her graduate program that requires extensive research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The third book, Sovereign, has Shardlake undertaking an assignment in York for Archbishop Cranmer.

The Guardian - Books

She said that Mr. Sullivan would have been required to disclose the sponsorship had he accepted the money while undertaking an assignment involving the drug industry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Cordasco said on Thursday: "Now that Facebook has come forward, we can confirm that we undertook an assignment for that client.

The Guardian - Tech

The action moves out of the bathhouse and turns surreal when the brothers, both bus drivers, undertake an assignment to transport an Iraqi politician from Amman, Jordan, back to Baghdad.

The New York Times

Now that Facebook has come forward, we can confirm that we undertook an assignment for that client.

TechCrunch

Navdy, Inc. ("Navdy" or the "Company") has undertaken an assignment for the benefit of creditors ("Assignment") as of October 26, 2017 and appointed an Assignee.

TechCrunch

It was not until the following month that police learned that Amer had left the country, and even then it was believed that he was undertaking an aid assignment.

The Guardian

A superstition, a kind of piety maybe, would have restrained many speechwriters from undertaking a preposterous assignment like this, no matter how warmly it was urged, no matter by how powerful a boss.

Huffington Post

After contending with God and myself, I devote the day to whatever legal endeavor I'm undertaking, or an assignment from one of my classes (which is the only time I have interactions with other inmates, outside of going out on a health-care pass or to the commissary).

The New Yorker

At the end of the masterclass there will be an opportunity to undertake a photographic assignment.

The Guardian

There's also an exciting opportunity to undertake a photography assignment that could see your work on the Guardian website.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the context. While "undertaking an assignment" is generally appropriate for professional and academic settings, less formal phrases might be more suitable for casual conversations.

Common error

Avoid using "undertaking an assignment" in informal situations where simpler alternatives like "doing a task" or "working on a project" would sound more natural. Choose your language based on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertaking an assignment" functions as a verbal phrase often serving as part of the predicate in a sentence. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its role in describing the action of beginning or engaging in a specific task, as supported by various examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undertaking an assignment" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to describe the commencement or engagement in a specific task or project. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in news, business, and scientific contexts, suggesting a professional and formal tone. Alternative phrases, such as "commencing a task" or "embarking on a project", offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. While generally appropriate for formal settings, it is important to consider the audience and context when choosing between "undertaking an assignment" and simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commencing a task

Replaces "undertaking" with "commencing", focusing on the start of the task.

embarking on a project

Substitutes "undertaking" with "embarking", emphasizing the beginning of a longer-term project.

accepting a responsibility

Replaces "assignment" with "responsibility", shifting the focus to the obligation involved.

engaging in a mission

Uses "engaging" for "undertaking" and "mission" for "assignment", suggesting a more purposeful and directed effort.

taking on a duty

Employs "taking on" instead of "undertaking" and "duty" instead of "assignment", focusing on the obligatory aspect.

pursuing an endeavor

Replaces "assignment" with "endeavor", implying a more ambitious or challenging task.

handling a project

Offers a more direct and practical alternative, focusing on the management of the task.

managing a task

Similar to "handling a project", but more generally applicable to any kind of work.

executing a mission

Focuses on the completion and implementation aspect of the assignment, implying a structured approach.

addressing an issue

Highlights problem-solving and resolution aspects within the assignment, differing in scope.

FAQs

What does "undertaking an assignment" mean?

The phrase "undertaking an assignment" means beginning or engaging in a specific task or project, often with a defined goal or purpose. It's commonly used in professional or academic contexts.

How can I use "undertaking an assignment" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "She is currently undertaking an assignment for her graduate program" or "The company is undertaking a review for assignments with spending estimated at $1.3 billion."

What are some alternatives to "undertaking an assignment"?

Alternatives include "commencing a task", "embarking on a project", or "accepting a responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "undertaking an assignment" formal or informal?

"Undertaking an assignment" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, or official communication. In casual conversation, simpler phrases may be more appropriate.