Meaning trap
take on
accept responsibility
to agree to do a job, task, or responsibility
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to agree to do a job, task, or responsibility
Another meaning of 'take on' is 'hire someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
She decided to take on more work to help her team finish the project.
In my last job, I had to take on several new tasks when my colleague left, which helped me develop new skills.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: It's a lot, but I'll take on it.
Say: It's a lot, but I'll take it on.
With a pronoun object, split the verb: 'take it on'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Take on' is the everyday verb for accepting work or responsibility; 'assume responsibility' is formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
take on + workload
- more work
- a project
- responsibility
- too much
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- take on (hire someone) — Another meaning of 'take on' is 'hire someone'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.