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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
an ongoing duty
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "an ongoing duty" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a responsibility or obligation that is continuous and not yet completed. Example: It is the company's ongoing duty to ensure the safety of its employees at all times. In this example, the phrase "ongoing duty" emphasizes that the company has a continuous and ongoing responsibility to prioritize the safety of its employees, rather than a one-time or occasional duty.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
And really, there is an ongoing duty of care.
News & Media
Under the Broadcasting Act 1990, Ofcom, the media regulator, also has an ongoing duty to ensure holders of broadcasting licences pass a "fit and proper" test.
News & Media
Indeed, one of the broker-dealer community's key objections to a fiduciary rule is that it could impose an ongoing duty of care after their one-time, transactional recommendations have been made.
News & Media
The maintenance is an ongoing duty.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
56 human-written examples
In the 13th century the Lower Ward was rebuilt in stone by Reynold Mohun; this was paid for in part by Reynold commuting his tenants' ongoing duty to repair the castle walls into a single, one-off financial payment to their lord, and partially through his marriage to a rich local heiress.
Wiki
In a statement, Ofcom said: "We will consider all relevant evidence as part of our ongoing duty to be satisfied that persons are fit and proper.
News & Media
One will help during the transition, and another after, but this does not include founder Steve Welch, who will continue his ongoing duties as co-founder at DreamIt Ventures.
News & Media
Each course required formal registration, relief of ongoing duties and certificates were awarded for successful completion.
Science
After it is set up, you have a duty, as an ongoing act of devotion to the deities, to keep your lararium clean.
Wiki
The threat of minefields is an ongoing and horrifying one, and the duty of clearing them is as difficult as it is dangerous.
News & Media
It's unclear why exactly Tramaglini allegedly made it his duty to make duty at the high school, but since this was an ongoing issue, the question is worth exploring.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using the phrase "an ongoing duty", ensure the context clearly indicates who is responsible for the duty and what actions it entails. For example, "The company has "an ongoing duty" to protect its customer's data".
Common error
Avoid using "an ongoing duty" when referring to a one-time task or obligation. The phrase implies a continuous, rather than a singular, responsibility. Using "a responsibility" can be more accurate for singular events.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "an ongoing duty" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific responsibility or obligation that is continuous and not yet completed. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and commonly used. Examples show its use in legal, ethical, and practical contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Wiki
30%
Science
30%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Social Media
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "an ongoing duty" is a noun phrase denoting a continuous responsibility or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound, though its frequency is classified as rare, appearing most often in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts. Its purpose is to emphasize the persistent nature of a task. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "a continuing responsibility" or "a sustained obligation". When using the phrase, ensure that the scope and responsible party are clear, avoiding its application to one-time events.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a continuing responsibility
This alternative replaces "duty" with "responsibility" and "ongoing" with "continuing", emphasizing the sustained nature of the obligation.
a sustained obligation
This alternative emphasizes the sustained nature of the obligation, highlighting its persistence over time.
a persistent commitment
This alternative shifts the focus to commitment, suggesting a deliberate and unwavering dedication to the duty.
a standing responsibility
Using "standing" suggests a more formal and established duty, often one that is officially recognized or mandated.
a permanent obligation
This emphasizes the lasting nature of the duty, suggesting it is not temporary or subject to change.
a continuous task
This alternative frames the duty as a task that requires ongoing effort and attention.
an unremitting task
This alternative emphasizes the relentless and persistent nature of the task or duty.
a perpetual responsibility
The use of "perpetual" highlights the never-ending nature of the responsibility.
a non-stop obligation
This alternative uses more informal language to convey the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the duty.
a constant imperative
This alternative frames the duty as an unavoidable and pressing requirement.
FAQs
How can I use "an ongoing duty" in a sentence?
You can use "an ongoing duty" to describe a responsibility that is continuous and requires consistent effort. For example: "The regulatory body has "an ongoing duty" to monitor market activity".
What are some alternatives to "an ongoing duty"?
Depending on the context, alternatives to "an ongoing duty" include "a continuing responsibility", "a sustained obligation", or "a persistent commitment".
Is "ongoing duty" formal or informal?
"Ongoing duty" is generally considered neutral to formal. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the context in which it is used.
What is the difference between "an ongoing duty" and "a one-time responsibility"?
"An ongoing duty" implies a continuous and repeated action, whereas "a one-time responsibility" refers to a task that is completed once. The first requires constant application while the second has an end date.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.3/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested