[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/undertake.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / undertake

[← U](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/U/)

# undertake

«undertake» in Mova's school dictionary: **To agree to do a piece of work or take on a job or task…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples.

### part of speech

verb (undertake, undertakes, undertook, undertaken, undertaking) — formal

### meaning for a pupil

1) To agree to do a piece of work or take on a job or task, often a big or hard one. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#m1)

2) To promise to do something: He undertook to pay the money back. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#m2)

3) (UK, informal driving) To overtake a vehicle on the wrong side (the inside lane). [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#m3)

### sense in the lessons

In formal language and exams, «undertake a project» means start and take responsibility for it. In science, you undertake an investigation. In UK driving talk, undertaking on a motorway is passing on the left, which is dangerous. Noun: undertaking (a big task or promise).

### examples

- Our class undertook a project on recycling. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#x1)
- Scientists undertook a long study of whales. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#x2)
- She undertook to look after the class hamster. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#x3)
- Building the new bridge is a huge undertaking. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#x4)
- Don't undertake a long hike without enough water. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#x5)
- It is dangerous to undertake on the motorway. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#x6)
- “I will undertake the defence,” said Fionn. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#x7)

### note

Irregular like take: undertook, undertaken. Formal; everyday words: take on, do, promise. Not linked in meaning to «undertaker».

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «undertake» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.