a unique duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unique duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a responsibility or task that is distinct or one-of-a-kind in nature. Example: "As the project manager, I have a unique duty to ensure that all team members are aligned with our goals and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

At the same time they have a unique duty to invest in slowing down the decline of the global business commons on which they depend.

Huffington Post

In an ensemble of cross-bridges interacting with one actin filament, like the conditions in every muscle or motility assay, only one actin velocity is possible, and hence, motility velocity vm is the same for each unitary step-size, implying each step-size has a unique duty cycle.

Biochemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This would be a mistake... Her history demonstrates that Johnsen can and will separate law from politics and discharge the OLC's unique duty to assess the constitutionality and legality of executive initiative and legislative proposal.

Huffington Post

As Commander-in-Chief, our president has the unique duty to make difficult decisions on the global stage as he tries his best to exercise vital leadership in such a turbulent and uncertain world.

Huffington Post

The NHS 'clinical' fraction will be labelled with the child's unique DUTY study identification (ID) number on DUTY specific labels as provided in patient packs.

BMC Infectious Diseases

In his work on ethics, Toulmin was concerned with describing prescriptive language that is, imperative sentences and value judgments used for ethical statements while holding that ethics, or the logical study of moral language, cannot be reduced to subjective or objective facts but is a unique expression of duty or right.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because they know the tricks of deception, their thinking goes, they have a unique ability, and a special duty, to teach people how not to get duped.

The New York Times

The combination of capacity and needs resulted in a unique version of the medium-duty Newton truck, with both rear and side access, as well as a top speed of 55 mph and the ability to carry more than 16,000 pounds.

Forbes

While break-out stars are Hanne Gaby Odiele and Hanneli Mustaparta – who each have a unique personal style – the typical off-duty model look is plainer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, every physician-scientist career has a unique balance of clinical and research duties, so it can be challenging to find a position that's a good fit for a clinician's practice and research specialty.

Science Magazine

Mapping the time-averaged reaction rates in the cycle time-CO duty fraction plane resulted in a unique global maximum at each temperature and flow rate.

Chemical Engineering Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a unique duty", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the duty distinct. Provide specific examples to illustrate its unique nature.

Common error

Avoid using "a unique duty" when the responsibility is merely uncommon but not genuinely one-of-a-kind. Use alternatives like "an important responsibility" or "a notable obligation" if the duty's distinction is minor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unique duty" functions as a noun phrase, where 'unique' modifies the noun 'duty'. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It specifies a particular responsibility or obligation that is distinct and not commonly shared, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a unique duty" is a grammatically sound expression used to denote a specific, unparalleled responsibility. While relatively rare in occurrence, as Ludwig AI and the examples demonstrate, it appears across diverse contexts like News & Media and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the duty's distinct characteristics. While synonyms like "an exclusive responsibility" or "a special obligation" exist, "a unique duty" is most fitting when the responsibility is genuinely one-of-a-kind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an exclusive responsibility

Emphasizes that the duty belongs to one specific entity, making it exclusive.

a special obligation

Highlights the importance and particular nature of the duty.

a distinct task

Focuses on the specific nature of the task being performed.

a singular role

Highlights the individual and irreplaceable aspect of the duty.

an unparalleled responsibility

Stresses the unmatched nature of the duty.

a one-of-a-kind obligation

Directly emphasizes that the obligation is exceptional and not easily replicated.

a particular charge

Emphasizes the entrustment and specific nature of the duty.

a bespoke function

Highlights the tailored and customized nature of the function.

an exceptional mandate

Stresses the authority and importance of the duty.

an individual mission

Focuses on the personal and dedicated aspect of the duty.

FAQs

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

You can use "a unique duty" to describe a specific responsibility that is not common or easily replicated. For example, "As the sole historian on the team, she has "a unique duty" to ensure historical accuracy."

What are some alternatives to "a unique duty"?

Alternatives include "an exclusive responsibility", "a special obligation", or "a distinct task". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect of the duty you want to emphasize.

Is it always necessary to emphasize the uniqueness of a duty?

No, it's not always necessary. If the duty is important but not particularly unique, consider using phrases like "an important responsibility" or "a significant obligation" instead.

What's the difference between "a unique duty" and "a special duty"?

"A unique duty" implies that the responsibility is one-of-a-kind, while "a special duty" suggests that it's important or significant but not necessarily unparalleled. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize rarity or importance.