Difference between task and activity

[maria A.]

Hi,

I would like to know what?s the difference between task and activity, please.

Thanks

Maria

[Tamara]

Hi maria A.

You didn’t give a context, but generally, as I think, 'activity' has a wider sense.
Activity can consist of tasks.
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Jamie (K)]

An activity can be something you are just doing, and it may or may not have any purpose. Someone may or may not have told you to do it.

A task is usually an activity with a purpose. It can be an assignment that someone has told you to do, or it can be some kind of chore.

[Mister Micawber]

.
It also may depend on the context field. This from psychological research:

"The distinction task vs. activity is particularly relevant to
task analysis and usability evaluation. A reliable measure
of the distance between what is prescribed (task) and what
is actually performed (activity) could lead to refinements
in the task model and (re)design decisions."
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber