work on task

USAGE SUMMARY

"work on task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a particular task that someone should focus on. For example, "The team leader asked each employee to work on task this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Workers with skill level 4 can work on task levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. Workers with skill level 3 can work on task levels 1, 2, 3, and so on.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That architecture forces computers to work on tasks as a series of step-by-step instructions, like a recipe.

The Guardian - Tech

I think it is important that an MBA course gives us time to work on tasks we may naturally be inclined to avoid.

The Economist

New West, based in Louisville, has brought in Fitzgerald, an agency based in Atlanta and owned by the Interpublic Group of Companies, to work on tasks like brand development and media planning and buying.

The New York Times

In particular, student written work on tasks that included figurative unit items provided the greatest variety of evidence regarding students' construction of and operation on composite units.

International Journal of STEM Education

As people work on tasks, they record what they have done, change status information and then e-mail them to the next person.

Forbes

It is human nature to work on tasks that you can easily accomplish.

Huffington Post

Because of this, our team sits in an open floor layout and is afforded locations throughout the office to work on tasks based on preferred workstyles.

Huffington Post

This decreased task sensitivity makes a nurse unlikely to work on tasks unrelated to brood care.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

For example, Weber and Lampert 19 conceptualised 'collective task requirements' where workers work on tasks in teams.

BMJ Open

ILCs are based on enhancing enquiry-based learning, and encouraging students to work on tasks in small groups (apply and integrate knowledge from biochemistry, pathology and microbiology) and conduct a laboratory procedure (practical part).

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning responsibilities, use "work on task" to clearly define each person's primary focus. This avoids confusion and promotes individual accountability.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by assigning single ownership when using "work on task". Clearly define who is primarily responsible to prevent duplicated efforts or tasks falling through the cracks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work on task" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of performing or dedicating effort to a specific task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes focusing on and engaging with a particular activity. For instance, "Workers with skill level 4 can work on task levels 1, 2, 3, and 4."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work on task" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes focusing effort and attention on a specific activity or assignment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is common across various contexts, including science, news media, and business, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define task ownership to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "address a task", "undertake a task", and "execute a task" can be used to vary the language while maintaining a similar meaning. The phrase is most often found in contexts related to project management, skill assessment, and collaborative efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address a task

Focuses on directly dealing with or solving a task.

undertake a task

Implies starting or committing to a task.

execute a task

Emphasizes the performance or completion of a task.

perform a task

Similar to execute, but with a slightly broader scope.

handle a task

Highlights managing or dealing with a task effectively.

tackle a task

Suggests confronting a task, especially a challenging one.

attend to a task

Focuses on giving attention or care to a task.

see to a task

Implies ensuring a task is properly completed.

be engaged in a task

Highlights involvement or participation in a task.

dedicate oneself to a task

Emphasizes commitment and focused effort on a task.

FAQs

How can I use "work on task" in a sentence?

You can use "work on task" to describe the action of focusing effort on a specific task. For example, "The team was instructed to work on task and avoid distractions."

What are some alternatives to "work on task"?

You can use alternatives like "address a task", "undertake a task", or "execute a task" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "work on task" or "work at task"?

The correct and more common phrase is "work on task". "Work at task" is less idiomatic and not typically used.

How does "work on task" differ from "focus on task"?

"Work on task" implies active engagement and effort, while "focus on task" simply means directing attention. You can focus on a task without actively working on it, but you can't work on a task without focusing.