urgent errands

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "urgent errands" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to tasks or activities that require immediate attention or action. Example: "I have a few urgent errands to run before the meeting starts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

These days, biking around the city on less urgent errands, she finds herself frequently appalled by the speed, recklessness and rudeness among those cyclists easily identifiable, she said, by their "Lycra outfits".

The New York Times

When the relationships are taken in the aggregate, the sad individual twists of fate that endeared the impostors to their lovers become cynical commonplaces: deceased parents, estranged siblings, urgent errands, rushed goodbyes, dozens of fictitious children and exes and old friends killed off or dispatched to the far corners of the Commonwealth.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The moment the train stopped at Renigunta Station, passengers jumped off on an urgent errand.

The New York Times - Food

Of course, not everyone who browses Nuthouse by night is on an urgent errand, Mr. Sakow said.

The New York Times

Suppose you are a cell with an urgent errand, swimming through the plumber's nightmare that is the human blood circulation system.

The New York Times - Science

At the same time that Revere began his ride, a fellow revolutionary - a tanner by the name of William Dawes - set out on the same urgent errand, working his way to Lexington via the towns west of Boston.

The Guardian - Books

Marketed as a general anti-pollution barrier rather than specifically for cycling, this resembles a surgical mask, as if I was performing an operation when asked to run an urgent errand.

The Guardian

Carts drawn by water buffalo moved in the tracks left by tanks, and soldiers carrying submachine guns milled about among villagers lugging possessions, but each of them was on his own urgent errand, and they rarely communicated, or even looked at each other.

The New Yorker

But Sidney is a sentimentalist, the kind of chump who keeps his old, shopworn dancers on the books and puts up a big finder's fee when his stepfather, Gunther Fahnstiel, a retired cop, slips out of his nursing home to wander the streets on an urgent errand he can't quite remember.

The New York Times - Books

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Vice

If not, pretend to have a long conversation or an urgent errand to end the chatting.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "urgent errands", ensure the context clearly indicates why the errands are time-sensitive. This adds clarity and emphasizes the importance of completing them promptly.

Common error

Avoid using "urgent errands" for routine tasks. Reserve it for situations where there is a genuine need for immediate action, to prevent diluting the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "urgent errands" functions as a noun phrase, where 'urgent' modifies 'errands' to specify the type of errands being referred to. It highlights that these are not just any errands, but ones that need immediate attention. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "urgent errands" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression used to describe tasks requiring immediate attention. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is relatively uncommon. Its primary function is to communicate the need for prompt action regarding specific errands. Although the register leans towards neutral, more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional contexts. Based on the provided examples, "urgent errands" is most frequently found in News & Media. To enhance clarity, always ensure the context justifies the stated urgency and consider the formality of your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pressing tasks

Emphasizes the importance and need for immediate attention to the tasks.

immediate necessities

Highlights the essential and time-sensitive nature of the errands.

critical assignments

Focuses on the importance and urgency of assigned duties.

time-sensitive tasks

Directly indicates that the tasks are constrained by a limited timeframe.

high-priority jobs

Stresses that these jobs are more important than others and must be done first.

rush duties

Implies that the duties need to be completed quickly and possibly ahead of schedule.

quick tasks

Focuses on the speed with which the tasks must be accomplished.

necessary runs

Highlights the required nature of these short journeys or tasks.

essential chores

Emphasizes that these are vital and pressing household tasks.

expedited duties

Indicates the duties are processed faster than usual.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "urgent errands" to sound more formal?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases such as "pressing tasks", "immediate necessities", or "high-priority jobs" instead of "urgent errands". These alternatives convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "urgent errands" and "important tasks"?

"Urgent errands" implies a need for immediate action, whereas "important tasks" simply denotes that the tasks are significant, but not necessarily time-sensitive. Urgency adds a temporal constraint.

Is it appropriate to use "urgent errands" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "urgent errands" might sound too informal for academic writing. More suitable alternatives in academic contexts include "time-sensitive responsibilities" or "critical assignments".

When is it best to use the term "urgent"?

The term "urgent" is best used when describing something that requires immediate attention or action to avoid negative consequences, emphasizing a critical need for promptness. Consider alternatives like "pressing", "critical", or "time sensitive" depending on the context.