Word
undertake
Phoneticsun·der·take, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈəndɝˌteɪk/
UK/ˌʌndətˈeɪk/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
undertake
Past
undertook
Past participle
undertaken
Definitions
01to start a task
B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic
v. to start a piece of work, a project, or a responsibility.
v. to commit to and begin a specific task, project, or responsibility. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the activity.
日本語:引き受ける※
“The university decided to undertake a major study on climate change.”
“The engineering firm agreed to undertake the bridge restoration project, despite the significant logistical challenges posed by the winter weather.”
Usage
Often used with nouns like 'task', 'study', 'project', or 'journey'.
02to promise
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to promise or agree that you will do something.
v. to pledge or formally commit oneself to an obligation or course of action. Often followed by a 'to' infinitive.
日本語:引き受ける※
“The company will undertake to finish the repairs by the end of the week.”
“The defendant must undertake to remain within the jurisdiction of the court until the trial has concluded.”
Usage
Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive clause.
03to pass on the inside
C1 · Advanced British English · Informal
v. to drive past a slower car using the lane on the left (in countries where people drive on the left).
v. to overtake a slower vehicle on the nearside (the side closest to the verge or kerb).
“It is dangerous to undertake other cars on the motorway.”
“The driver was pulled over by the police after he tried to undertake a lorry on a busy stretch of the M25.”
Teaching tip
This is specifically British usage; in American English, this is simply called 'passing on the right'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04passing on the inside
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Informal
n. the act of driving past a slower car on the left side.
n. the act of passing a slower-moving vehicle on the nearside.
“The police officer gave him a ticket for a dangerous undertake.”
“Aggressive undertakes are a common cause of accidents on multi-lane highways where lane discipline is poor.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “undertake” in context.
Verb
01. currently undertake
“The tasks we currently undertake are much more complex than those from last year.”
adv + verb
02. undertake activity
“Students are encouraged to undertake activity outside of the classroom to build social skills.”
verb + noun
03. undertake analysis
“The team will undertake analysis of the data before publishing the final report.”
verb + noun
04. undertake project
“The government decided to undertake a massive infrastructure project to improve transport.”
verb + noun
05. undertake research
“Scientists are planning to undertake research into the long-term effects of the new drug.”
verb + noun
06. undertake study
“She decided to undertake a study of ancient history at the local university.”
verb + noun
07. undertake task
“It is a difficult task to undertake, but the rewards are worth the effort.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“Top tip: No matter what project you undertake, stay open-minded.” “The King and Queen will undertake a royal visit to Antigua and Barbuda during an autumn tour, Buckingham Palace has announced.” “Melting sea ice from climate change has opened up the region for giant whales to undertake 'feeding frenzies'.” Etymology
From Middle English undertaken; equivalent to under- + take (after undernim).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/undertake
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0