complete a task

Meaning

To finish doing a specific piece of work, duty, or assignment successfully. This is a common phrase in project management, performance reviews, and daily task tracking.

Examples

• You must complete a task before you can move on to the next project phase.

  You must complete a task before you can move on to the next project phase.

• It took the team three days to complete a task that usually takes one.

  It took the team three days to complete a task that usually takes one.

• She was rewarded for her ability to complete a task under pressure.

  She was rewarded for her ability to complete a task under pressure.

• Please let me know when you complete a task so I can review it.

  Please let me know when you complete a task so I can review it.

• Every employee needs to complete a task assigned by the manager.

  Every employee needs to complete a task assigned by the manager.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to complete with a task by Friday.

  ✓ I need to complete a task by Friday.

  'Complete' is a transitive verb and does not require the preposition 'with' before its object.

• ✗ He did complete a task very quickly.

  ✓ He completed a task very quickly.

  Avoid using 'did complete' in simple affirmative statements unless you are emphasizing contrast. Use the simple past 'completed'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It is important to ___ on time to keep the project on schedule.

  💡 Finish a piece of work.

  Show answer

  complete a task

• The software helps users ___ more efficiently.

  💡 Successfully finish an assignment.

  Show answer

  complete a task