Onerous duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Onerous duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a task or responsibility that is burdensome or difficult to perform. Example: "As the team leader, I often find myself facing the onerous duty of making tough decisions that affect everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"This is onerous duty," Mr. Hyde said, but somebody has to do it.

The New York Times

J.S.P., posted on nytimes.com My wife and I discussed this article, and we determined that sex should be an onerous duty, undertaken only a few times, for the express purpose of creating the next generation.

The New York Times - Magazine

Why not give Handel's "Messiah" a break from its onerous duty as the requisite piece for the Christmas season and let "L'Enfance du Christ" take over for a while?

The New York Times

Choreographers working in German municipal theaters are expected to provide "dance" wherever it is required -- operas, plays, operettas; many consider it an onerous duty, the price for having an ensemble and a budget.

The New York Times - Arts

Although Supreme Court cases like United States v. Agurs and Kyles v. Whitley involved unrelated-case material — the criminal record of a murder victim and the criminal conduct of a key witness, respectively — the Supreme Court never spilled any ink distinguishing between the duty to learn of related-case material and the more onerous duty to learn of unrelated-case evidence.

The Washington Post

The next year of his life found Albert once again appointed to an onerous duty.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Officials have repeatedly talked of slapping a luxury tax on the purchase of new jets, on top of existing onerous duties and taxes.

The Economist

Sports stars are flattered on campus, avoid many of the onerous duties other midshipmen must perform, and know they're not going to be thrown out.

The New York Times

But in his twilight years Castro appeared to enjoy stepping back from the onerous duties of the presidency, if not the limelight.

The Guardian

Four heads would do it, I think – two for Silk Road, two for TP's, to relieve them all of their onerous duties.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But if he can shoulder some of the DCI's more onerous duties, including the president's briefing and the intelligence budget, he might free a dynamic CIA director to wield the axe for him.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "onerous duty", ensure the context clearly indicates the burden or difficulty involved. Avoid using it for simple or pleasant tasks.

Common error

Avoid describing routine or simple tasks as an "onerous duty". This diminishes the phrase's impact and can sound hyperbolic. Reserve its use for genuinely challenging or unpleasant responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "onerous duty" functions as a noun phrase, where "onerous" modifies the noun "duty". According to Ludwig AI, it describes a task or responsibility that is burdensome or difficult to perform.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "onerous duty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a burdensome or difficult task. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal contexts and appears frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific domains. While not exceedingly common, the expression effectively conveys the weight and demanding nature of a particular responsibility. When employing this expression, consider alternative phrases like "burdensome task" or "heavy responsibility" to tailor your language to the specific nuance required. Avoid overusing it in simple contexts to preserve its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Burdensome task

Replaces "duty" with "task", focusing on the work aspect.

Heavy responsibility

Substitutes both words to highlight the weight and accountability involved.

Demanding obligation

Emphasizes the compulsory and taxing nature of the requirement.

Difficult undertaking

Highlights the challenging and laborious aspects of the task.

Arduous chore

Implies a routine but strenuous and unpleasant task.

Tiresome responsibility

Focuses on the weariness associated with the obligation.

Galling obligation

Highlights the irritating and vexing nature of the duty.

Taxing chore

Emphasizes the draining and demanding quality of the task.

Exacting role

Highlights the precision and high standards required in the duty.

Trying task

Focuses on the stressful and challenging nature of the work.

FAQs

How can I use "onerous duty" in a sentence?

You can use "onerous duty" to describe a difficult or burdensome task. For example: "Jury duty can be an "onerous duty" for many citizens because of the time commitment."

What are some alternatives to "onerous duty"?

Alternatives include "burdensome task", "heavy responsibility", or "demanding obligation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "onerous duty" in formal writing?

Yes, "onerous duty" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a sense of seriousness and weight, which can be appropriate in professional or academic contexts.

What makes a duty "onerous"?

A duty is considered "onerous" when it is difficult, burdensome, or unpleasant to perform. This could be due to the time commitment, the complexity of the task, or the emotional toll it takes.