was given the task of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was given the task of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an assignment or responsibility that has been assigned to someone. Example: "She was given the task of organizing the annual company retreat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brown was given the task of deciphering Pemberton's messages.

The New York Times

He was given the task of running Lebanon in 1998 as part of his training program.

The New York Times

Welles had said that the KGB was given the task of assassinating Wayne.

The Guardian

As the junior man in the bureau, I was given the task of finding the hairdresser.

The New Yorker

He was given the task of researching and writing about a patient's journey.

The Guardian

He was given the task of modernizing the postal service and making it more efficient.

The New York Times

In 2005 it was given the task of finding 90% of those above 140 metres wide.

The Economist

He was given the task of preparing the last great assault.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Fed was given the task of writing specific regulations based on language in the act.

The New York Times

Brahimi was given the task of selecting, with Washington's public approval, the thirty-one members of Iraq's interim government.

The New Yorker

'I was given the task of looking after an airstrip, and I saw my opportunity,' she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines who assigned the task and what the task entails.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice can make writing sound weak. Consider restructuring the sentence to highlight the actor assigning the task for a more direct and engaging style. For example, instead of "He was given the task of leading the project", try "The manager tasked him with leading the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was given the task of" functions as a passive construction indicating assignment or delegation. Ludwig's examples confirm its use to describe a situation where someone receives a specific duty or assignment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

20%

Science

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was given the task of" is a frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, that describes the assignment of a specific duty or responsibility to someone. Grammatically correct and widely used across diverse sources like news media and encyclopedias, the phrase is best suited for neutral contexts. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of potentially overuse of passive voice and consider alternatives for better writing style. The alternatives, as listed in the related phrases, can help writers to select the most suitable synonym for different context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was assigned the duty of

Replaces "task" with "duty", emphasizing the obligatory nature of the assignment.

was entrusted with the responsibility for

Highlights the trust placed in the individual and uses "responsibility" instead of "task".

was charged with the mission of

Emphasizes the importance and strategic nature of the assignment using the word "mission".

was delegated the job of

Focuses on the act of delegating, implying that the responsibility came from a higher authority.

had the responsibility to

Simplifies the structure, focusing directly on the responsibility itself.

was appointed to

Indicates a formal appointment to a role that involves specific duties.

was made responsible for

Emphasizes the accountability aspect of the assignment.

was called upon to

Suggests a formal request or demand to perform a specific action.

was directed to

Highlights the directive nature of the assignment, implying a clear order.

undertook the assignment to

Focuses on the action of taking on the assignment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was given the task of" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives such as "was entrusted with the responsibility for" or "was charged with the mission of".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when using "was given the task of"?

While "was given the task of" is in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "He was given the task of writing the report", you could say "They assigned him the task of writing the report".

What are some synonyms for "task" in the phrase "was given the task of"?

You can replace "task" with words like "duty", "responsibility", "assignment", or "mission" depending on the context.

How can I avoid overuse of the phrase "was given the task of" in my writing?

To avoid repetition, try varying your sentence structure and using different phrases that convey the same meaning. Some alternatives include "was assigned the duty of", "had the responsibility to", or simply "was responsible for".