Tasks: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to refer to specific activities or pieces of work that need to be done. Often used in both professional and personal settings.

• She completed all her tasks before the deadline
• He had a list of tasks to finish over the weekend

Primarily used in educational or professional contexts to refer to specific pieces of work given to someone to complete. These often have deadlines and specific requirements.

• The teacher gave them a reading assignment for the weekend
• He had three assignments to submit by the end of the month

Often used in a formal context to describe responsibilities or obligations, especially those related to a job or role. Can imply a sense of obligation or necessity.

• As a manager, her duties include overseeing staff and managing budgets
• One of his primary duties as a firefighter is to ensure public safety

Used to describe larger, often complex undertakings that require planning, collaboration, and a series of tasks to complete. Commonly used in professional, educational, and personal development contexts.

• He is working on a new project to develop a mobile app
• For her science class, she has a project on renewable energy

Refers to routine tasks or duties, especially those that are household-related and less pleasant to do. Typically used in informal, everyday contexts.

• She spends her Saturday mornings doing household chores like cleaning and laundry
• One of his chores is taking out the trash

Tasks are usually specific pieces of work to be done, often part of a larger project or routine. They can vary in complexity and time needed.

• He completed his tasks before the deadline.
• We need to break down this project into smaller tasks.

Operations often refer to ongoing activities, actions, or processes involved in running a business, machinery, or military actions. They tend to be broader and more complex.

• The operation of this company requires attention to detail.
• The military operation was a success.

Functions refer to actions or activities that are complex and have specific roles or purposes, often within systems, organizations, or machinery.

• One of the main functions of the HR department is recruitment.
• The function of this button is to start the machine.

Processes typically refer to a series of actions or steps taken to achieve a particular end. They imply a systematic, often repetitive sequence.

• The hiring process can take several weeks.
• The process of making bread involves several stages.

Jobs refer to paid positions of regular employment or specific pieces of work, sometimes short-term or casual. It can also mean responsibilities or tasks assigned to a person.

• He has a job at the local supermarket.
• My job for today is to clean the office.