Task Verbs

Task verbs, also known as task words, command words, instruction words or direction words, are an important part of an essay prompt or task description. They tell you what to do. Other types of words in a task description are content words (which give information about the topic or subject of the essay) and limiting words (which give information about the scope of the essay).

In a task description there may be more than one task verb. In fact, some of the task verbs are normally secondary, or follow up, verbs and they are indicated as such in the definitions below. "Elaborate" is one example: you can't elaborate until you have already mentioned something. If there is more than one task verb, and there often is, you must make sure that you address both parts of the question in your essay. Otherwise the task is incomplete and you will lose marks. See the examples on the task analysis page.

Task Verbs

• Account for ... : explain the reasons for (usually a result, outocome, or something which has happened) ... : a secondary task verb;
• Analyse: critically examine and describe the details of a topic, argument, proposition, etc.;
• Argue: give reasons and evidence to support a point of view;
• Assess: make a judgement about the quality, importance, or value of an argument or proposition;
• Cite: quote a source in support of your arguments : see more on the quoting and citing page : a secondary task verb;
• Clarify: make something clearer by simplifying or using examples or analogies : a secondary task verb;
• Classify: arrange items into groups according to their features : see more on the classification page.
• Comment (on): state your opinion about something mentioned in the task description, supported by evidence, examples or analogies : a secondary task verb;
• Compare: examine similarities and differences between items specified in a task description : see more on the comparison and contrast page;
• Consider: State your thoughts and opinions about whatever is mentioned in the task description and give reasons for your opinions;
• Contrast: highlight differences between two or more things specified in a task description : see more on the comparison and contrast page;
• Criticise: give your reasoned judgement about the value of something - criticism may be positive or negative;
• Deduce: draw a reasoned conclusion from the facts and evidence you have presented : a secondary task verb;
• Define: clearly state the precise meaning of something specified in a task description;
• Demonstrate: use evidence and/or examples to support and clarify something mentioned in the task description;
• Describe: give a clear account of something mentioned in the task description in such a way that a reader might have a clear understanding of what is described;
• Develop (argument, analysis, critique ...): give further details and support for your argument, analysis, critique, theory, proposal ... : a secondary task verb;
• Differentiate: show the differences which exist between two entities;
• Discuss: write critically about the important details of a topic, argument, proposition, etc. : "critically" means giving considered opinions about various aspects of the topic;
• Elaborate: provide further information about some aspect of item(s) mentioned in the task description : a secondary task verb;
• Enumerate: give an ordered, or possibly a numbered, list of whatever is asked in the task description : see more on the enumeration page;
• Examine: look carefully at something in order to learn about it and understand it: as a task verb it means to describe in detail the most important features of something and explain their use and value;
• Explain: make something requested in the task description clear and easy to understand;
• Explore: examine an issue from different points of view in order to have a deeper understanding of it and be able to draw some conclusions;
• Evaluate: state your opinion about the value of the arguments, proposals, propositions etc. in the task description. Your opinions should be supported by evidence and/or reasoned argument;
• Hypothesize: give a possible explanation for something : a secondary task verb;
• Identify (trends, trends, patterns, features, issues, problems, ...): to find, locate in whatever the task description asks you to locate and comment on it. Your opinions should be supported by evidence and/or reasoned argument;
• Illustrate: use evidence, examples, analogies or (where appropriate) graphics to support and clarify something mentioned in the task description;
• Indicate: point out something particular mentioned in the task description;
• Infer: draw a conclusion about the truth of something based in the information available : a secondary task verb;
• Justify: give reasons and/or evidence why something specified in a task description should be considered acceptable : a secondary task verb;
• Outline: describe the main points about an argument, topic, proposition, etc.;
• Paraphrase: summarise in your own words : see more on the paraphrasing page;
• Predict: say what you think will happen in the future based on the information you have presented : a secondary task verb;
• Propose: make a suggestion;
• Prove: show that something is true by providing evidence and logical reasoning;
• Recommend: suggest a particular course of action, remedy, or solution : a secondary task verb;
• Reconcile: show how two different ideas or theories can both be acceptable or exist together : a secondary task verb;
• Review: consider the main points of something and comment on their merits or drawbacks;
• Specify: indicate and/or describe something particular clearly and precisely : a secondary task verb;
• State (opinion, reason, cause, why, how, when ...) : clearly write what is requested in the task description;
• Suggest: mention a possible course of action which a reader might consider;
• Summarise: give an account of the main points about whatever is mentioned a the task description;
• Support (your argument, analysis, opinion ...): give proof or evidence that your argument, analysis, opinion ... is true : a secondary task verb;
• Synthesize: combine elements (information, theories, hypotheses etc.) into a coherent summary;
• Trace: outline the history or development of an issue, idea, or topic.

A Word about Adverbs

Verbs are often qualified by adverbs and these task verbs are no exception. In a task description you must take note of adverbs; they are there for a purpose. If the task description requires you to discuss something briefly, then it must be brief. First of all because, if your discussion is lengthy, you are not fulfilling the task requirements. Secondly, if there is a word limit, you are taking away words which you need to fulfill other task requirements. Thirdly, if the task is a time limited test, you are wasting time. Also, the ability to express key points concisely is a key skill.

Other adverbs which may occur in task descriptions are:

• critically: (critically evaluate, assess, analyse, examine ... ) : "critically" means that you have to go beyond mere description or explanation - it means you must express your opinions about the value or validity of something (positive or negative) and give your reasons (supported by evidence from authoritative sources) for holding those opinions;
• clearly: (clearly illustrate, indicate, identify, explain ... ) : "clearly" means in simple terms - easy to understand; you must consider your audience here;
• carefully: (carefully consider, examine, explain, assess ... ) : "carefully" means more than just with care; it means to do something in some depth and clarity;
• systematically: (systematically analyse, examine, assess ...) : according to some rational and clear criteria.

Other words and phrases which may occur in task descriptions are:

• To what extent ... ? : examine the limits of a proposition or argument: how strong is the evidence to show that something is true or false?
• ... in relation to ... : confine your answer to the matter mentioned after the words "in relation to" : a limiting phrase;
• ... in terms of ... : confine your answer to the matter mentioned after the words "in terms of" : a limiting phrase;
• ... with reference to ... : your answer must be related to the matter mentioned after the words "with reference to" and you should make explicit reference to it.

See more information about task words, content words, and limiting words on the Task Analysis Page.