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# undertake

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

«undertake» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To agree to do a piece of work or take on a job or task, often a big or hard one. [tree →](https://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://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://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/#m3)

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

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «undertake» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/undertake/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«undertake» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/undertake.html) on Mova free.