a primary duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main responsibility or obligation that someone has in a particular role or job. Example: "As a project manager, a primary duty is to ensure that the team meets its deadlines and stays within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Only later did monetary policy managing economic growth and inflation become a primary duty.

The Economist

"Controlling the quantity and quality of people that come into your country is a primary duty of government and we can't do it as members of the EU".

BBC

The EHCR determined that the obligation in Article 2 entails, above all, a primary duty on the State to put in place a clear legislative and administrative framework designed to provide effective deterrence against threats to the right to life.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Starting from the assumption that the appropriate (or "natural") unit of culture is an ethno-nation, it claims that a primary duty of each member is to abide by one's recognizably ethno-national culture in all cultural matters.

SEP

In summary, for future reference: Classical nationalism is the political program that sees the creation and maintenance of a fully sovereign state owned by a given ethno-national group ("people" or "nation") as a primary duty of each member of the group.

SEP

However, it seemed that the agency considered these as favours on their part and not a primary duty.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

How else can "any willing provider" be interpreted when the regulator, Monitor, has a new primary duty "to promote competition"?

The Guardian - Opinion

"For the second year in a row primary duty bearers of children in Iraq have heeded the call to protect the fundamental rights of Iraq's 15 million children" noted Sikander Khan, UNICEF Representative in Iraq.

Unicef

It was also part of the domestic comfort that was a wife's primary duty.

The New York Times - Arts

In one 2013 survey for the United Nations Population Fund, 88.5% of 2,402 respondents named looking after the family as a woman's primary duty.

The Guardian

But opponents say the delivery of death by a machine violates the first law of robotics as laid out in 1942 by the science fiction writer Isaac Asimov – that a robot's primary duty is to protect humans – and even within the military, there  are concerns that such scenarios cross a fundamental boundary.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing roles or positions, use "a primary duty" to clearly define the most important obligation. For example, "As a firefighter, a primary duty is to save lives."

Common error

Avoid using "a primary duty" for tasks that are merely routine or secondary. Reserve it for responsibilities that are truly essential and define the core purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object. It identifies or describes the most important responsibility associated with a role, position, or entity. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary duty" refers to the most important responsibility or obligation within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It functions as a noun phrase, clarifying essential obligations and often appearing in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like ""a main responsibility"" or ""a chief obligation"" exist, "a primary duty" effectively conveys the significance of the task at hand. Remember to reserve this phrase for truly essential responsibilities to avoid diluting its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a main responsibility

Focuses on the idea of being the most important responsibility.

a chief obligation

Highlights the binding nature of the duty as an obligation.

a core responsibility

Emphasizes that the duty is central and fundamental.

a key responsibility

Underscores the importance of the duty.

a central task

Shifts focus to the action or task aspect of the duty.

a principal function

Highlights the role or purpose the duty serves.

a leading responsibility

Implies that the duty is at the forefront of all responsibilities.

a foremost duty

Emphasizes the priority and importance of the duty.

an essential task

Highlights the task as indispensable and crucial.

a critical responsibility

Stresses the vital and significant nature of the responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "a primary duty" to describe the most important responsibility or obligation of a person or entity. For instance, "A doctor's primary duty is to care for their patients."

What are some alternatives to "a primary duty"?

Alternatives include "a main responsibility", "a chief obligation", or "a core responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "the main primary duty"?

Yes, using "main" and "primary" together is typically redundant since both words indicate the highest level of importance. Stick to either "a primary duty" or "the main duty".

What is the difference between "a primary duty" and "a secondary duty"?

"A primary duty" is the most important or main responsibility, while a secondary duty is a less important or supporting task.