accept a duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept a duty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of agreeing to take on a responsibility or obligation. Example: "As a team leader, I am ready to accept a duty to ensure that our project is completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But for an animal to realise its right to life, farmers, hunters and researchers must collectively accept a duty not to kill them.

The Guardian - Opinion

This brand of "Big Mac" statesmanship would require business to get its head out of the sand and accept a duty to help solve broader social challenges.

The Washington Post

The war itself went on – but images of Biafra did at last make the old colonial powers acknowledge Africans as fellow human beings and accept a duty of compassion, periodically rekindled by such pictures as Kevin Carter's 1994 image of a Sudanese child apparently stalked by a vulture.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And so he accepted a duty he could not rightly refuse.

The New York Times

But in other cases – such as the reporting of suspected paedophiles or the investigation of murders – many sections of the media have accepted a duty to deflect as well as reflect the public mood.

The Guardian - Opinion

Early results show more families' housing problems were sorted before they progressed to the point where the council formally accepted a duty of homelessness, suggesting that more intensive prevention work was helping to keep more people in their homes.

The Guardian

Many fund managers, one suspects, will be horrified by the idea that they could be asked to do more work and accept a few duties and responsibilities.

The Guardian - Business

All we are asking is that UK unions accept they have a duty to behave in a proper and responsible way".

The Guardian

What I am now responsible for and am extremely proud of is making the Met finally accept they have a duty towards victims".

The Guardian

"Before the council accepts they have a duty to help you, they wait until you're really on the street basically". It was the week before Christmas when Munoz, who has lived in the UK for 14 years both as a full-time worker and a student and volunteer, attended her eviction case at court.

The Guardian

But if we reject the sanction theory of duty, why accept a sanction theory of rights?

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accept a duty", ensure the context clearly defines the specific duty being accepted. Clarity avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "accept a duty" when expressing personal desires or preferences. This phrase is best suited for scenarios involving obligations or responsibilities, not personal wants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept a duty" functions primarily as a verbal phrase indicating the action of willingly taking on a responsibility or obligation. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show the phrase used in contexts ranging from animal rights to social challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "accept a duty" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies the act of willingly taking on a responsibility or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by examples from news, academic, and scientific sources. While not extremely frequent, its neutral tone and clear meaning make it suitable for various formal and professional contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "undertake a responsibility" or "assume an obligation", offering similar nuances. When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding the specific duty being accepted to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertake a responsibility

Emphasizes the commencement of a significant task or obligation.

take on a commitment

Focuses on agreeing to fulfill a specific pledge or promise.

commit to an obligation

Stresses the dedication and promise involved in fulfilling a requirement.

assume an obligation

Highlights the act of taking on a binding requirement.

agree to a responsibility

Simple and direct, focusing on the act of giving consent to take on a task.

acknowledge a responsibility

Highlights recognizing and accepting a moral or legal obligation.

consent to a duty

More formal, emphasizing agreement to a legally or morally binding obligation.

bear a responsibility

Similar to assuming, but emphasizes the ongoing nature of carrying the responsibility.

shoulder a burden

Suggests accepting a difficult or onerous responsibility.

embrace a role

Implies a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of a new position or function.

FAQs

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

You can use "accept a duty" when you want to express that someone is taking on a responsibility or obligation. For example: "The new manager decided to "accept a duty" to improve employee morale."

What is a more formal way to say "accept a duty"?

A more formal way to say "accept a duty" is to use the phrase "assume an obligation". This wording is often used in legal or official contexts.

What can I say instead of "accept a duty"?

You can use alternatives like "undertake a responsibility", "embrace a role", or "take on a commitment" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "accepted the duty"?

Yes, "accepted the duty" is grammatically correct. It's the past tense form of ""accept a duty"" and indicates that someone has already taken on the responsibility.