errand
B1Neutral, leaning informal. Common in everyday conversation, less common in formal writing.
Definition
Meaning
A short, practical trip taken to accomplish a specific task, often for someone else.
The specific purpose or mission of such a trip; a minor, often tedious, chore or duty.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Nearly always implies a trip or movement away from one's starting point (e.g., going out, to the shops). It suggests a small, practical purpose, not leisure. While the task itself can be done, you *run* or *go on* an errand.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use identically. The term is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly negative (a chore). In AmE, 'errand' is the standard, unmarked term for this concept.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both BrE and AmE. Slightly more lexicalized in AmE in phrases like 'errand boy/girl' (BrE might also use 'messenger').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to run/go on/send someone on/do an errandto have errands to runan errand for someoneVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fool's errand (a pointless/wasted effort)”
- “errand of mercy (a trip to help someone in distress)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare in core business discourse. Might appear informally ('I'm running an errand for the boss').
Academic
Very rare, except in historical/literary contexts discussing messengers or specific missions.
Everyday
Very common. Central to describing daily domestic and administrative small tasks.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I go to the shop. It is a small errand.
- Can you help me? I have one errand.
- I need to run a quick errand to the post office before it closes.
- She sent her son on an errand to buy some milk.
- My Saturday morning was spent running a series of tedious errands around town.
- He realised convincing his stubborn colleague was a fool's errand.
- The diplomat's official visit was merely a pretext for a more clandestine errand.
- She undertook the errand of mercy, delivering supplies to the isolated villagers.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a **HER** **AND** me: 'I need to go, it's an errand for **her, and** me.'
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY, and small tasks are short trips on that journey.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate as 'поручение' in all contexts. 'Поручение' is more formal/official. 'Errand' is more about the physical act of going out. Better translations often involve 'сходить' (сходить по делам).
- Avoid using 'errand' for a long, complex mission or a permanent duty.
Common Mistakes
- Using as a verb (*I will errand to the shop* - INCORRECT).
- Using for a task done at home without leaving (*washing dishes is not an errand*).
- Confusing with 'errant' (wandering/behaving badly).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as an 'errand'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'errand' is exclusively a noun. You 'run', 'do', or 'go on' an errand.
A chore is a routine task, often done at home (e.g., cleaning). An errand specifically involves leaving your current location to accomplish a task elsewhere.
No, you can have 'an errand' (singular) or 'errands' (plural). The phrase 'to run errands' is a common fixed plural form.
It's an idiom meaning a task or activity that has no hope of success, a waste of time and effort.