Understanding “Undertake”: Definition and Synonyms
Undertake – Definition and Part of Speech
The verb undertake means to commit oneself to or take on a responsibility, task, or challenge. It involves engaging in an activity that requires effort and determination.
- Part of Speech: Verb
- Forms:
- Base form: undertake
- Present participle/gerund: undertaking
- Past tense/past participle: undertook (past), undertaken (perfect)
Core Synonyms
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assume | To accept or take on a role or responsibility | “She assumed the task without hesitation.” | Formal/Business |
| Embark on | To begin a journey or course of action | “They embarked on an ambitious project.” | Academic/Informal |
| Commence | To formally start something | “The company commenced operations in 2020.” | Formal/Academic |
| Initiate | To cause something to begin; start a process | “He initiated the new policy changes.” | Business/Formal |
| Set out on | To start a journey or task | “They set out on their road trip at dawn.” | Informal/Descriptive |
Usage Notes
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Assume is often used in formal and business contexts when discussing roles, tasks, or responsibilities. It implies taking on something as if it were naturally yours.
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Example: In a team setting, one might assume the leadership position due to their expertise.
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Embark on suggests starting an endeavor with some sense of journey or exploration involved. This synonym is versatile and can be used in academic writing or casual speech to imply beginning a new experience.
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Example: An entrepreneur might embark on developing a new product line.
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Commence typically appears in formal or official contexts, often related to starting events or processes. It’s appropriate for academic papers or legal documents.
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Example: The commencement ceremony marked the end of the graduation season.
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Initiate is frequently used in business and organizational settings where someone starts a process or policy change intentionally.
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Example: To improve efficiency, she initiated a review of current procedures.
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Set out on carries connotations of beginning something with intentionality, often involving movement. It’s suitable for creative writing or casual conversation to describe starting journeys or tasks.
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Example: They set out on an adventure through the mountains, eager for exploration.
Common Pitfalls
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Confusing undertake with its noun form undertaking, which refers more to a task or responsibility itself rather than the action of committing to it. For example, “The undertaking was challenging” uses undertaking as a noun.
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Mistaking embark on for a purely physical journey when it can also metaphorically refer to starting any new venture.
Final Recap
In summary, while undertake broadly covers the action of taking responsibility or starting a task, each synonym brings its own nuance:
- Assume emphasizes acceptance and often implies authority.
- Embark on suggests beginning with an element of journey or exploration.
- Commence is formal, signaling an official start.
- Initiate indicates the initiation of processes or changes.
- Set out on describes starting something purposefully.
By practicing these synonyms in context—writing sentences or using them in conversation—you’ll gain a deeper understanding of their specific connotations and when to use each one effectively. Expand your vocabulary by considering not just the definitions, but how these words resonate within various contexts.