task
A task-oriented person is someone who focuses on getting their specific work done.
Explanation at your level:
A task is a job you have to do. When we use it as an adjective, we talk about things for work. A task chair is a chair for your desk. It helps you do your work well.
You use task to describe things made for work. A task force is a group that works on one project. It is very common in offices.
The adjective task describes tools or groups meant for a specific job. For example, a task-based curriculum uses specific activities to teach students, rather than just reading books.
Using task as an adjective highlights efficiency. A task-oriented person focuses on results. This is often used in professional performance reviews to describe someone who is very productive.
In advanced contexts, task as an adjective denotes a specialized focus. We often see it in task-specific software, which is designed to perform one function perfectly. It implies a departure from general-purpose tools toward high-precision instruments.
The adjective task functions as a marker of teleological design—meaning the object or group is defined entirely by its end goal. In academic or technical literature, it describes systems optimized for singular objectives, emphasizing the alignment of resources with specific outcomes.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Task as an adjective describes things for specific work.
- Commonly used in compound words like task-oriented.
- It implies efficiency and goal-focus.
- Always hyphenate when used as a compound modifier.
When we use task as an adjective, we are usually talking about how something is organized. Think of a task force—a group of people brought together for one specific mission. It isn't a general club; it is a group with a singular purpose.
You will see this word used in business and tech settings often. For example, a task chair is a chair designed specifically for working at a desk, not for lounging. It is all about the functionality of the object or group in relation to a goal.
The word task comes from the Old Northern French word tasque, which meant a piece of work imposed by a superior. It traces back to the Medieval Latin tasca, a variation of taxa, which is also the root of the word tax.
Historically, it was about a specific amount of labor required as a payment or duty. Over time, the meaning evolved from a heavy burden or tax to any specific piece of work. Using it as an adjective is a more modern development, highlighting the functional nature of the work being done.
As an adjective, task almost always acts as a modifier before a noun. You will hear phrases like task-oriented, task-specific, or task-based learning.
It is common in professional environments. If you are in a meeting and someone mentions a task list, they are referring to the specific items needing completion. It is a very pragmatic and efficient word to use.
While 'task' is often a noun, these expressions use the concept of a task: 1. Take to task: To scold or criticize someone. Example: The boss took him to task for the late report. 2. Up to the task: Having the ability to do something. Example: Is she up to the task of leading the team? 3. A thankless task: A job that no one appreciates. Example: Cleaning the office kitchen is a thankless task. 4. Set a task: To assign work. Example: The teacher set a difficult task for the class. 5. Task at hand: The current job you are doing. Example: Let's focus on the task at hand.
When used as an adjective, it is invariable, meaning it doesn't change form. It is pronounced /tæsk/ in both British and American English. It rhymes with mask, cask, and flask.
It is almost exclusively used in attributive position (before the noun it describes). You wouldn't say 'the group is task'; you would say 'the task group is efficient'.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'tax' because work was once a form of payment.
Pronunciation Guide
Long 'a' sound
Short 'a' sound
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'k' too softly
- Confusing with 'test'
- Wrong vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Compound Adjectives
task-oriented
Noun Adjuncts
task force
Examples by Level
This is a task chair.
task chair = chair for work
Attributive adjective
We have a task list.
task list = list of jobs
Noun adjunct
The task force met.
task force = work group
Compound noun
He is task-focused.
task-focused = focus on work
Hyphenated adjective
Use the task tool.
task tool = tool for work
Attributive
It is a task item.
task item = item to do
Attributive
They need task help.
task help = help with work
Attributive
Is it a task day?
task day = day for work
Attributive
The task force finished early.
She is a very task-oriented manager.
We need a task-specific solution.
He bought a new task light for his desk.
The task group reported to the CEO.
This is a task-based assignment.
They created a task board.
The task requirements are clear.
Our team is highly task-oriented.
The software offers task-based automation.
He struggled with the task-specific instructions.
The committee formed a task force to investigate.
We need a more task-focused approach.
The task chair provides great support.
She manages the task list daily.
The task environment is very busy.
The project requires a task-centric methodology.
His task-oriented nature makes him efficient.
The task force was disbanded after the goal was met.
We are implementing a task-based learning system.
The task-specific hardware is quite expensive.
They adopted a task-driven workflow.
The task management software is down.
He is known for his task-oriented leadership style.
The architecture is designed for task-specific performance.
A task-oriented paradigm shift is necessary here.
The task-based nature of the curriculum enhances retention.
The task force was composed of experts.
We need to optimize the task-driven processes.
The task-centric design minimizes distractions.
Her task-oriented approach is refreshing.
The task-specific constraints were challenging.
The system employs a task-oriented scheduling algorithm.
Such a task-specific heuristic is rarely efficient.
The task-based ontology allows for better data mapping.
His task-centric focus borders on obsession.
The task force's mandate was strictly limited.
We require a task-oriented framework for this analysis.
The task-driven nature of the project is evident.
A task-specific optimization is required for this module.
Synonyme
Gegenteile
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"take to task"
to scold
The manager took him to task.
formal"up to the task"
capable
Are you up to the task?
neutral"thankless task"
unappreciated work
It was a thankless task.
neutral"task at hand"
current job
Focus on the task at hand.
neutral"set a task"
assign work
The boss set a new task.
neutral"monumental task"
huge job
It was a monumental task.
formalEasily Confused
Both mean work
Job is general; task is specific.
My job is to teach; my task is to grade this paper.
Both mean obligation
Duty is moral/legal; task is practical.
It is my duty to vote; it is my task to finish this.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + task-oriented
He is task-oriented.
They formed a + task + noun
They formed a task force.
Use a + task + noun
Use a task chair.
The + task + noun + is + adj
The task list is long.
This is a + task-based + noun
This is a task-based system.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
Task as a verb is usually formal (to task someone with something).
You need the adjective form.
Different meanings and spelling.
Adjectives need nouns.
Task implies a specific, defined piece of work.
Tips
Use it in business
Use 'task-oriented' to describe productive colleagues.
Hyphens are key
Always hyphenate task-based, task-oriented, task-specific.
Tax connection
It shares a root with tax!
Visualizing
Imagine a 'task' as a single box on a checklist.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
TASK: To Achieve Specific Knowledge.
Visual Association
A person with a checklist (task list).
Word Web
Herausforderung
Write down 3 'task-oriented' goals for today.
Wortherkunft
Old Northern French
Original meaning: Piece of work imposed as a duty
Kultureller Kontext
None
Very common in US corporate culture (task-oriented).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- task-oriented
- task force
- task management
Education
- task-based learning
- task assignment
Tech
- task-specific software
- task bar
Conversation Starters
"Are you a task-oriented person?"
"Do you prefer task-based learning?"
"What is the hardest task you have done?"
"Do you use a task list?"
"Have you ever been on a task force?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you were very task-oriented.
What is your favorite task-based activity?
How do you manage your daily task list?
Why is being task-oriented good for business?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenYes, but usually before a noun.
Yes, it is a compound adjective.
A group for a specific mission.
It is neutral and common in business.
Using tasks to learn or do things.
No, you need a noun like 'task-oriented'.
Task implies a specific duty.
Like 'mask'.
Teste dich selbst
He is very ___ oriented.
The term is task-oriented.
What is a task force?
A task force is a group organized for a specific mission.
Is 'task' an adjective?
Yes, it can be used attributively.
Word
Bedeutung
These are common compound adjectives.
He is very task-oriented.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
When you see 'task' as an adjective, think of a specific tool or mindset designed to get a job done efficiently.
- Task as an adjective describes things for specific work.
- Commonly used in compound words like task-oriented.
- It implies efficiency and goal-focus.
- Always hyphenate when used as a compound modifier.
Use it in business
Use 'task-oriented' to describe productive colleagues.
Hyphens are key
Always hyphenate task-based, task-oriented, task-specific.
Tax connection
It shares a root with tax!
Visualizing
Imagine a 'task' as a single box on a checklist.
Beispiel
She positioned the task lamp so she could see the fine print of the contract.
Related Content
In Videos ansehen
2:50
Connect Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to Android Studio to improve AI agent capabilities
15:39
Python Has the Best Standard Library Ever: 10 Modules You Need to Know
"She positioned the task lamp so she could see the fine print of the contract."
20:37
ENGLISH SPEECH | ANGELINA JOLIE: What We Stand For? (English Subtitles)
"She positioned the task lamp so she could see the fine print of the contract."
Im Kontext lernen
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr Work Wörter
abformize
C1Etwas nach einem vorgegebenen Modell strukturieren oder in eine feste, standardisierte Form bringen.
abmissery
C1To formally discharge or release an individual from a specific duty, mission, or administrative post, typically due to a failure to meet requirements or an organizational change. It implies a structured removal from a position of responsibility before the natural conclusion of a term.
abregship
C1Du reduzierst den Umfang von Aufgaben und Befugnissen, die zu einer Führungsposition gehören.
absigntude
C1To formally and publicly relinquish a position of authority or a professional responsibility, specifically as an act of moral or ethical protest. This verb implies that the departure is accompanied by a documented statement of principles or a refusal to comply with compromised standards.
accomplishment
B2An accomplishment is something that has been achieved successfully, especially through hard work, skill, or perseverance. It refers both to the act of finishing a task and the successful result itself.
achievement
C1Etwas erfolgreich abschließen, oft durch Mühe oder Können. Ein Erfolg, auf den man stolz sein kann.
adantiary
C1Einen Plan ändern, um zukünftige Probleme vorauszusehen.
adept
C1Highly skilled or proficient at a task that requires specific knowledge or practice. It describes a person who can perform complex actions with ease and precision.
adflexship
C1Die eigene Arbeitsweise strategisch anpassen, indem man flexibel neue Fähigkeiten integriert, um auf Veränderungen im Umfeld zu reagieren.
adhument
C1Mit 'adhument' unterstützt oder verstärkst du etwas Bestehendes. Stell dir vor, du baust ein Haus und fügst zusätzliche Stützen hinzu, um es stabiler zu machen.
