Purpose vs. Task — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Purpose and Task
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Compare with Definitions
Purpose
The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or goal
Her purpose in coming here is to talk to you. The purpose of an airliner is to transport people.
Task
A piece of work assigned or done as part of one's duties.
Purpose
Determination; resolution
He was a man of purpose.
Task
A difficult or tedious undertaking
Finding qualified people to fill these specialized roles was a real task.
Purpose
To intend or resolve
"the gap between what is said and what is purposed" (Ian Donaldson).
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Task
A function to be performed; an objective
It is our task to renew consumer confidence.
Purpose
The end for which something is done, is made or exists.
What is the purpose of your visit?
My purpose in coming to Egypt was simply to take it en route to the desert.
It has been my purpose to illustrate rather than to explain.
The exceptionally small gate-leg table served the purpose of a tea table admirably.
The purpose of the device is to prevent the breechblock from opening accidentally should the gun be held barrel down.
The purpose of this letter is to set the record straight.
The purpose of this book is to study the interrelationship of government and religion.
The device can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
The purpose of turning off the lights overnight is to save energy.
Task
To assign a task to or impose a task on
The agency was tasked with creating an advertising campaign.
Purpose
Function, role.
Task
(Archaic) To subject to strain or hardship
"The Professor's household was a modest one, and yet it tasked his ideas to keep it up to his wife's standard" (Edith Wharton).
Purpose
(Sense of having a) meaning for existing or doing something.
Task
A piece of work done as part of one’s duties.
The employee refused to complete the assignment, arguing that it was not one of the tasks listed in her job description.
Purpose
Resolution; determination.
Task
Any piece of work done.
Purpose
(obsolete) The subject of discourse; the point at issue.
Task
A difficult or tedious undertaking.
Purpose
(transitive) To have or set as one's purpose or aim; resolve to accomplish; intend; plan.
Task
An objective.
Purpose
(intransitive) To have (an) intention, purpose, or design; to intend; to mean.
Task
(computing) A process or execution of a program.
The user killed the frozen task.
Purpose
To discourse.
Task
(obsolete) A tax or charge.
Purpose
That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim; design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertookUnless the deed go with it.
Task
(transitive) To assign a task to, or impose a task on.
On my first day in the office, I was tasked with sorting a pile of invoices.
Purpose
Proposal to another; discourse.
Task
(transitive) To oppress with severe or excessive burdens; to tax
Purpose
Instance; example.
Task
(transitive) To charge, as with a fault.
Purpose
To set forth; to bring forward.
Task
Labor or study imposed by another, often in a definite quantity or amount.
Ma task of servile toil.
Each morning sees some task begin,Each evening sees it close.
Purpose
To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon, as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to design; to resolve; - often followed by an infinitive or dependent clause.
Did nothing purpose against the state.
I purpose to write the history of England from the accession of King James the Second down to a time which is within the memory of men still living.
Task
Business; employment; undertaking; labor.
His mental powers were equal to greater tasks.
Purpose
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse.
Task
To impose a task upon; to assign a definite amount of business, labor, or duty to.
There task thy maids, and exercise the loom.
Purpose
An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions;
His intent was to provide a new translation
Good intentions are not enough
It was created with the conscious aim of answering immediate needs
He made no secret of his designs
Task
To oppress with severe or excessive burdens; to tax.
Purpose
What something is used for;
The function of an auger is to bore holes
Ballet is beautiful but what use is it?
Task
To charge; to tax, as with a fault.
Too impudent to task me with those errors.
Purpose
The quality of being determined to do or achieve something;
His determination showed in his every movement
He is a man of purpose
Task
Any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted;
He prepared for great undertakings
Purpose
Propose or intend;
I aim to arrive at noon
Task
A specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee;
Estimates of the city's loss on that job ranged as high as a million dollars
The job of repairing the engine took several hours
The endless task of classifying the samples
The farmer's morning chores
Purpose
Reach a decision;
He resolved never to drink again
Task
Assign a task to;
I tasked him with looking after the children
Task
Use to the limit;
You are taxing my patience
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