Task (noun): a piece of work to be done, especially one that is assigned or requires effort. Task (verb, formal): to assign a duty or piece of work to someone. The task was to write a formal email with a complaint and a solution.
What Does Task Mean?
Task comes from Old North French tasque and Medieval Latin tasca, originally meaning an imposed tax or levy of work owed to a lord. It entered English in the 13th century, and over the following centuries the meaning broadened from an obligatory duty to any piece of work that needs to be done. Today it is one of the most frequent words in academic writing, business communication, and everyday conversation alike.
As a noun, a task is a defined, usually time-bound, piece of work. It implies that the work has a clear beginning and end, which makes it useful in professional and instructional contexts: complete the task, set a task, assign a task. As a verb (more formal and common in business or military registers), to task someone with something means to give them a specific responsibility: She was tasked with coordinating the project.
Compared to related words: job is broader and often refers to employment; duty carries a moral or ongoing obligation; assignment is common in educational contexts; chore implies a tedious or routine domestic task. Task sits comfortably across all registers — from a school exercise to a corporate project brief. See Cambridge Dictionary's full entry on “task” for more examples.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level & usage note |
|---|---|
| My first task today is to tidy my room. | A2 — simple present, everyday context |
| The teacher gave us a task to complete before the next lesson. | B1 — past simple, classroom setting |
| The task was to write a formal email with a complaint and a solution. | B1 — focus sentence, task + infinitive complement |
| Breaking down a large project into smaller tasks makes it much easier to manage. | B2 — gerund subject, professional advice |
| The committee was tasked with reviewing the existing legislation and proposing amendments where necessary. | C1 — passive verb form, formal/legal register |
Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| complete a task | She completed every task on the list before lunch. |
| carry out a task | The technician carried out the repair task efficiently. |
| assign a task | The manager assigned each team member a specific task. |
| set a task | The teacher set a writing task for homework. |
| undertake a task | We agreed to undertake the task within two weeks. |
| a demanding / difficult task | Leading the negotiation was a demanding task. |
| a routine task | Filing reports is a routine task in most offices. |
| an urgent task | Fixing the server error became an urgent task. |
| be tasked with | I was tasked with writing the project summary. |
| multitask | Good receptionists can multitask under pressure. |
Usage Notes
Key Patterns to Know
Task + infinitive: The noun task is often followed by a to-infinitive that explains the purpose: The task is to summarise the article in 100 words.
Be tasked with + gerund: The verb form always takes a gerund after with: She was tasked with reviewing the data. Never use an infinitive after tasked with.
Task vs. assignment: In academic English, assignment is the more common word for formal coursework; task is preferred in instructions and test rubrics (Reading Task, Listening Task).
Register note: The verb task (as in to task someone) is formal. In informal speech, prefer give someone a job to do or ask someone to do something.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She was tasked to write the report.
She was tasked with writing the report. (tasked with + gerund, not infinitive)
I have a task to do until Friday. (translating "until" from another language)
I have a task to complete by Friday. (use by for deadlines)
It was a very big task work.
It was a very demanding task. (task and work are not used together like this)
Etymology
From Old North French tasque (also tasche), derived from Medieval Latin tasca — a tax or fixed amount of labour owed to a feudal lord. The Latin root is likely from taxare (to assess, to charge), which also gives English tax and taxation. The sense of "a piece of work to be done" is first recorded in English in the 13th century. The compound taskmaster (a person who imposes heavy work on others) appears from the 16th century.
Related Words
Practise This Word
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Frequently Asked Questions about “task”
What is the meaning of task?
A task is a piece of work that needs to be done, often within a set time or as part of a larger project. As a verb, to task someone means to give them a specific duty to carry out. Example: 'She was tasked with preparing the report.'
What is the difference between task and job?
A task is usually one specific piece of work, often part of a larger project or routine. A job can refer to a single piece of work but more commonly describes paid employment or a broader role. You complete a task; you do a job or have a job.
Is task a noun or a verb?
Task is both a noun and a verb. As a noun: 'The task was straightforward.' As a verb (formal or professional): 'The manager tasked her team with reviewing the data.' The verb form is more common in business, military, and academic writing.
What are common collocations with task?
Common collocations include: complete a task, carry out a task, assign a task, set a task, perform a task, a difficult task, a routine task, an urgent task, a demanding task, and multitask. In academic and professional English, 'undertake a task' is also widely used.
What is the difference between task and duty?
A task is usually a specific, time-limited piece of work. A duty is a moral or professional obligation that may be ongoing. A soldier has a duty to their country, but is assigned specific tasks during a mission. Duty carries a stronger sense of obligation.
What does 'to task' mean as a verb?
To task someone means to assign a specific piece of work or responsibility to them. It is most common in formal, professional, or military contexts: 'The committee was tasked with reviewing the budget.' It is often used in the passive voice.
What is the origin of the word task?
Task comes from Old North French 'tasque' and Medieval Latin 'tasca', meaning a tax or imposed work. It entered English in the 13th century. The original meaning of an imposed obligation or levy shifted over time to the modern sense of any piece of work to be done.
How do you use task in a formal email?
In formal writing, task is commonly used in phrases such as: 'I have been tasked with…', 'The main task is to…', 'Please complete the assigned task by Friday.' Avoid informal substitutes like 'thing to do' in professional contexts. Task signals clarity and professionalism.
What is the plural of task?
The plural is tasks: 'She had several tasks to complete before the deadline.' Task is a regular countable noun — it takes a standard -s plural with no spelling change.
How can I practise using task in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to see task used in context, or use Flash Cards to review task alongside related vocabulary such as duty, assignment, and responsibility. Writing short work-related emails or to-do lists is also an excellent way to practise task naturally.