Undertook vs undertaken – which one should you use? If you are unsure about the correct usage of these words, you are not alone. Many people get confused between the two and end up using them interchangeably. However, there is a subtle difference between the two words that you should be aware of. In this article, we will explore the meanings of undertook and undertaken and when to use each of them.
Undertook and undertaken are both verbs that are used to describe the act of taking on a task or responsibility. However, there is a slight difference in their usage.
Undertook is the past tense of the verb undertake. It means to take on a task or responsibility, especially a challenging one. For example:
- He undertook the task of organizing the event single-handedly.
- She undertook the responsibility of taking care of her sick mother.
Undertaken, on the other hand, is the past participle of undertake. It is used in conjunction with auxiliary verbs such as have, has, had, or is. For example:
- He has undertaken a new project at work.
- She had undertaken a course in marketing before starting her own business.
Now that you know the difference between undertook and undertaken, let’s dive deeper into their usage.
Define Undertook
Undertook is a verb that means to take on or commit oneself to a task or responsibility. It is often used to describe a voluntary or intentional action that a person chooses to pursue. Undertook can also refer to a promise or pledge to do something.
For example, a person might undertake a project at work, meaning they have agreed to take on the responsibility of completing it. Similarly, someone might undertake a challenge, such as running a marathon or climbing a mountain, as a personal goal or accomplishment.
Undertook can also be used in a legal context, where it refers to the act of entering into a contract or agreement. In this sense, it implies a formal commitment to fulfill certain obligations or duties.
Define Undertaken
Undertaken is the past participle of undertake, which means that it is used to describe an action that has already been completed. It is often used in conjunction with another verb to indicate that an action has been initiated or carried out.
For example, someone might say, “I have undertaken a new project at work,” to indicate that they have already committed to the task and begun working on it. Similarly, a company might announce that they have undertaken a new initiative, meaning that they have already started taking action to pursue a particular goal or objective.
Undertaken can also be used to describe a promise or commitment that has been made in the past. For instance, someone might say, “I have undertaken to complete this task by the end of the week,” meaning that they have already agreed to do so and are now working to fulfill their promise.
Overall, undertaken is a useful verb for describing actions that have already been taken or commitments that have already been made. It is often used in professional or formal contexts to indicate a sense of responsibility or accountability.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to writing, using the correct words is crucial to conveying the intended meaning. In this article, we will discuss the proper usage of the words “undertook” and “undertaken.”
How To Use “Undertook” In A Sentence
“Undertook” is the past tense of the verb “undertake.” This word is used to describe an action that was initiated or started in the past. Here are some examples of how to use “undertook” in a sentence:
- She undertook a challenging project that required her to work long hours.
- He undertook the task of organizing the company’s annual conference.
- They undertook a journey to explore the remote regions of the Amazon rainforest.
As you can see, “undertook” is used to describe an action that was started and completed in the past. It is often used in the context of taking on a task or project.
How To Use “Undertaken” In A Sentence
“Undertaken” is the past participle of the verb “undertake.” This word is used to describe an action that was completed in the past. Here are some examples of how to use “undertaken” in a sentence:
- The project was undertaken by a team of experts in the field.
- She has undertaken several research projects in the past.
- They had undertaken a massive renovation project on their old house.
As you can see, “undertaken” is used to describe an action that was completed in the past. It is often used in the context of a project or task that required effort and dedication to complete.
More Examples Of Undertook & Undertaken Used In Sentences
In order to fully understand the difference between “undertook” and “undertaken,” it is helpful to see them used in various sentences. Below are some examples of both words used in different contexts:
Examples Of Using Undertook In A Sentence
- He undertook the task of renovating the entire house by himself.
- The company undertook a massive marketing campaign to promote their new product.
- She undertook the challenge of running a marathon despite never having run more than a few miles before.
- They undertook the responsibility of caring for their elderly parents.
- The government undertook a study to determine the effects of climate change on the local environment.
- He undertook a dangerous mission to rescue hostages from a terrorist group.
- The team undertook a thorough analysis of the data before presenting their findings.
- She undertook a leadership role in the community to address issues of social justice.
- He undertook a journey to explore the remote regions of the Amazon rainforest.
- They undertook a project to build a sustainable farming system in their community.
Examples Of Using Undertaken In A Sentence
- The renovations have been undertaken by a team of experienced contractors.
- A full investigation has been undertaken to determine the cause of the accident.
- The company has undertaken a series of cost-cutting measures to improve profitability.
- She has undertaken a rigorous training program to prepare for the upcoming competition.
- The government has undertaken a major infrastructure project to improve transportation in the region.
- He has undertaken a research project to explore the effects of meditation on stress levels.
- The team has undertaken a comprehensive review of the company’s policies and procedures.
- She has undertaken a study abroad program to learn more about different cultures.
- They have undertaken a humanitarian mission to provide aid to refugees in war-torn regions.
- The organization has undertaken a fundraising campaign to support research into a cure for cancer.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “undertook” and “undertaken,” it’s easy to get confused and use them interchangeably. However, these two words have different meanings and should be used in specific contexts. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
Using “Undertook” As The Past Participle Of “Undertake”
One of the most common mistakes people make is using “undertook” as the past participle of “undertake.” While “undertook” is the past tense of “undertake,” “undertaken” is the correct past participle form. For example:
- Incorrect: He had undertook the project last year.
- Correct: He had undertaken the project last year.
Using “undertook” as the past participle form is grammatically incorrect and can make your writing sound unprofessional.
Using “Undertaken” As The Simple Past Tense Of “Undertake”
Another common mistake is using “undertaken” as the simple past tense of “undertake.” The simple past tense of “undertake” is “undertook.” For example:
- Incorrect: She had undertaken the task yesterday.
- Correct: She undertook the task yesterday.
Using “undertaken” as the simple past tense form is grammatically incorrect and can cause confusion for your readers.
Using “Undertaken” To Mean “Started”
Lastly, a common mistake is using “undertaken” to mean “started.” While “undertaken” can mean “started,” it’s typically used in the context of completing or taking on a task or project. For example:
- Incorrect: He had undertaken his journey at dawn.
- Correct: He had started his journey at dawn.
Using “undertaken” to mean “started” can be confusing and can make your writing sound awkward.
Tips To Avoid These Mistakes
To avoid making these common mistakes, here are some tips:
- Remember that “undertaken” is the past participle form of “undertake.”
- Use “undertook” as the simple past tense form of “undertake.”
- Use “undertaken” in the context of completing or taking on a task or project.
- Proofread your writing to ensure you’re using the correct form of the word.
By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and improve the clarity and professionalism of your writing.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between undertook and undertaken, context plays a crucial role in determining which word to use. Both words have similar meanings, but their usage can vary depending on the context in which they are used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Here are a few examples of different contexts and how the choice between undertook and undertaken might change:
- Formal Writing: If you are writing a formal document or a legal contract, it is best to use the word “undertaken.” This is because “undertaken” is more formal and professional, and it conveys a sense of responsibility and commitment. For example, “The company has undertaken to provide training to all its employees.”
- Informal Writing: If you are writing an informal email or a casual blog post, you can use either “undertook” or “undertaken.” However, “undertook” is more commonly used in informal writing as it is less formal and sounds more conversational. For example, “I undertook a trip to the mountains last weekend.”
- Past Tense: When using the past tense, “undertook” is the correct form to use. For example, “She undertook the project last year.”
- Present Tense: When using the present tense, “undertake” is the correct form to use. For example, “I undertake to complete the task by the end of the day.”
It is important to note that the choice between undertook and undertaken can also depend on the intended meaning and the tone of the sentence. Therefore, it is always a good idea to consider the context carefully before choosing which word to use.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using undertook and undertaken are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to keep in mind. Here are a few cases where the usual rules might not apply:
1. Passive Voice
In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. In this case, the past participle of undertake is always used as undertaken, regardless of the tense or subject of the sentence. For example:
- The project was undertaken by the team last year.
- Several studies have been undertaken to investigate the issue.
2. Infinitives
When using the infinitive form of the verb (to undertake), the base form is always used. For example:
- She decided to undertake the challenge despite the risks.
- He offered to undertake the task himself.
3. Colloquial Language
In some colloquial or informal contexts, the past tense of undertake may be used as undertook, even when it should technically be undertaken. This is especially common in spoken language or casual writing. However, it’s important to note that this usage is not considered standard English and should be avoided in formal writing or professional contexts.
Overall, while there are a few exceptions to the rules for using undertook and undertaken, these cases are relatively rare. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can ensure that you’re using these words correctly in your writing.
Practice Exercises
Improving one’s understanding and use of undertook and undertaken requires practice. Here are some exercises to help readers do just that:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either undertook or undertaken:
- The company has ________ a new project to expand their market.
- She has ________ a course on public speaking to improve her skills.
- He has ________ a leadership role in the organization.
- They have ________ a survey to gather feedback from customers.
Answer Key:
- undertaken
- undertaken
- undertook
- undertaken
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct form of the verb to fill in the blank:
- The team has __________ the project successfully.
- a) undertook
- b) undertaken
- a) undertook
- b) undertaken
- a) undertook
- b) undertaken
- a) undertook
- b) undertaken
Answer Key:
- b) undertaken
- b) undertaken
- a) undertook
- b) undertaken
Exercise 3: Sentence Completion
Complete the following sentences with either undertook or undertaken:
- The team has __________ a major project that will take several months to complete.
- She has __________ a new challenge by starting her own business.
- He has __________ a leadership role in the company and is responsible for managing a team of employees.
- They have __________ a risk by investing in a new technology that is untested in the market.
Answer Key:
- undertaken
- undertaken
- undertook
- undertaken
Conclusion
In conclusion, the proper use of the words “undertook” and “undertaken” can make a significant difference in the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. Here are the key takeaways from this article:
Undertook Vs Undertaken
- “Undertook” is the past tense of “undertake,” which means to begin or start something.
- “Undertaken” is the past participle of “undertake,” which means to have started and completed something.
- Using “undertook” instead of “undertaken” can create confusion and ambiguity in your writing, especially when describing completed actions.
- It’s important to use the correct form of the word based on the context of your sentence.
By understanding the difference between these two words, you can improve the clarity and accuracy of your writing. However, grammar and language use are complex topics that require ongoing learning and practice. We encourage readers to continue exploring these areas to enhance their writing skills.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.