working on a task

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working on a task" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of engaging in or completing a specific job or assignment. Example: "I am currently working on a task that requires my full attention and focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

There can be a team of people working on a task (see resources) but one person has to be answerable to a task being completed on time.

WikiHow

According to Csikszentmihalyi (1975), when a person is working on a task, if the task is far below the one's ability, it will induce boredom; on the contrary, if the task is far above the one's ability, it will induce anxiety.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

So, set the goal of working on a task for a short time, and then reassess.

The New Yorker

When working on a task or reading, good lighting should be provided throughout the room.

The New York Times - Health

The first is controlled attention: working on a task that requires intense focus, such as writing or thinking deeply, while willfully avoiding unrelated thoughts and inhibiting external stimuli.

Harvard Business Review

There are also questionnaires to assess the directions people give themselves while working on a task and their theories about why things happen as they do.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Crowdsourcing involves using online social networks to put many people to work on a task that's usually performed by one or a few.

MIT Technology Review

In the real-effort paradigm, participants work on a task, and outcomes depend on their performance.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization

When you work on a task continuously, it's easy to lose focus and get lost in the weeds.

Harvard Business Review

These simple actions could help both male and female employees manage their time more efficiently and claim more time to work on a task if necessary.

Harvard Business Review

When you're sitting down to work on a task, a cluttered desk and an open browser tab can pull your focus away from your work.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing ongoing projects, use "working on a task" to clearly indicate active involvement and effort.

Common error

Avoid using "a task is being worked on" when the active voice construction "working on a task" is more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working on a task" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun that describes the action of being engaged in a specific duty. As Ludwig AI shows, it is commonly used to describe current activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working on a task" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe being actively engaged in a specific duty. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread use across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "engaged in a task" or "performing a task" exist, "working on a task" provides a clear and direct way to communicate current involvement and effort. This makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaged in a task

Replaces "working on" with "engaged in", emphasizing involvement in the task.

undertaking a task

Uses "undertaking" to highlight the commencement or active pursuit of a task.

performing a task

Focuses on the execution aspect of the task using "performing".

busy with a task

Emphasizes the state of being occupied with the task.

occupied with a task

Similar to "busy with", highlighting preoccupation with the task.

handling a task

Implies managing or dealing with the task effectively.

addressing a task

Suggests focusing efforts to resolve or complete the task.

tackling a task

Highlights a proactive and energetic approach to the task.

laboring on a task

Emphasizes the effort and hard work involved in the task.

concentrating on a task

Focuses on the mental effort and attention directed towards the task.

FAQs

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

You can use "working on a task" to describe someone currently engaged in completing a specific job, for example, "I am currently "working on a task" that requires careful attention to detail".

What are some alternatives to "working on a task"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "engaged in a task", "performing a task", or "undertaking a task", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "work on a task" instead of "working on a task"?

While "work on a task" is grammatically correct, it usually implies a general activity or intention rather than an ongoing action. "Working on a task" specifically indicates current involvement.

What's the difference between "working on a task" and "completing a task"?

"Working on a task" suggests an ongoing process, whereas "completing a task" implies that the task has been successfully finished.