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undertake Definition

under·take (un′dər tāk′)

transitive verb -·took′, -·tak′en, -·tak′·ing

  1. to take upon oneself; agree to do; enter into or upon (a task, journey, etc.)
  2. to give a promise or pledge that; contract he undertook to be their guide
  3. to promise; guarantee
  4. to make oneself responsible for; take over as a charge

Etymology: ME undertaken: see under- & take

intransitive verb

  1. Archaic to take on responsibility, pledge oneself, guarantee, or be surety (for)
  2. ☆ Informal to work as an undertaker (sense )

undertake Synonyms

undertake

v.

endeavor, engage, set out, promise, try out, try, begin, commence, offer, set in motion, volunteer, initiate, commit oneself to, embark upon, venture, take upon oneself, answer for, hazard, stake, move, devote oneself to, pledge oneself to, shoulder, take up for, take on, set about, go into, go about, go in for, put one's hand to, have one's hands in, have in hand, launch into, launch forth, address oneself to, enter on or upon, busy oneself with, tackle*, pitch into*, fall into*, buckle to*, take on*, take the plunge*, fall to*, have a try at*, go for in a big way*.

undertake Usage Examples

Object

  • research: You can also view details of recent research undertaken at the Trust.
  • task: Her sense of duty, however, bogs her down into undertaking mundane tasks for the rest of the family.
  • survey: In your position I would have a CCTV survey undertaken first.
  • review: We recently undertook a detailed review of the part-time MBA program.
  • project: I worked on a large project undertaken by my supervisor, Dr. Walter Herzog.
  • work: We also undertook work on attack technologies in order to better evaluate our design work.

Preposition: on

  • behalf: A housing needs assessment is currently being undertaken on behalf of Fife Council the results of which will further inform the Local Plan.
  • basis: These will be undertaken on a minimum yearly basis with dates set for review.

Subject

  • consultant: The article concludes with an account of the evaluation, which was undertaken by an independent consultant.

Used with why or when

  • whatever: The students themselves model care and concern for the environment and a willingness to undertake whatever needs doing.

Infinitive complement

  • assess: This study was undertaken to assess the reasons for failure of endometrial resection.
  • determine: The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between sexual behavior and EBV infection in Edinburgh University students.
  • ensure: Initial analysis work should be undertaken to ensure that sufficient detail is provided the more detail the better.
  • establish: What research has been, or will be, undertaken to establish the deterrent effect, if this is to come into law?

Present participle complement

  • world-changing: Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham undertakes world-changing research, provides innovative teaching and a student experience of the highest quality.

Preposition: in

  • accordance: The development was undertaken in accordance with DEFRA's sustainability objectives.
  • collaboration: The project was undertaken in collaboration with Teaching Company Directorate.
  • manner: Detailed analysis may be undertaken in a manner similar to that for the first order ordinary differential equations.

Preposition: with

  • caution: Hiking along " dry " stream beds should be undertaken with caution, especially after or during rain.

Preposition: by

  • consultant: The article concludes with an account of the evaluation, which was undertaken by an independent consultant.