Close menu

English in a Minute Series 4

Intermediate level

Verbs to use with 'task'

Episode 250624 / 24 Jun 2025

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learn more English in a Minute

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Introduction

A task is specific job or piece of work that needs to be completed. For example, in this episode there are several different tasks that need to be completed if Helen wants her dinner party to be a success. The word 'task' is used in different collocations – words that often go together. Listen to Beth to learn some of the verbs that we often use with the noun 'task'.

Common collocations with 'task'

take on a task
If you take on a task, you decide to do the task and try to complete it.

  • Jamie took on the task of building a table.

get to grips with a task
If you get to grips with a task, you begin to understand how the task should be completed and get better at doing it.

  • After a few mistakes, Jamie got to grips with the task of cutting the table legs with a saw.

assign a task to someone
entrust someone with a task
If you assign a task to someone, you give them a job to complete. If you entrust someone with a task, you give them responsibility for getting that job done correctly.   

  • Jamie assigned the task of drilling the screw holes to his friend Fran.
  • He entrusted his artist friend Pascual with the task of painting a unicorn on the table.

engrossed in a task
If you are engrossed in a task, you are totally focused on it and don't think about anything else.

  • The three friends were so engrossed in the construction of the table that they forgot to eat lunch.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Download a free transcript!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

TRANSCRIPT

Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.

Beth
Imagine you're cooking for 10 people. Is it a task you're willing to take on?
 
If you take on a task, you are willing to do the task, which is often a challenge.
 
Helen has agreed to take on the task of hosting a dinner party at her house.
 
If you get to grips with a task, you start to deal with or understand how to do it.
 
Helen is getting to grips with making gravy. She's using the juice from the roasted vegetables.  
 
You can assign or entrust someone with a task. This means you give them a task to do.
 
Helen has entrusted Fran to lay the table.
 
If you're engrossed in a task, you are so focused on it that you can't concentrate on anything else.
 
They were so engrossed in getting ready for the party, they didn't hear the doorbell!

Latest English in a Minute Series 4

Takeaways

Download PDF

Podcast

Learning English vocabulary