an overarching duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overarching duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a primary or fundamental responsibility that encompasses other duties or obligations. Example: "As a leader, my overarching duty is to ensure the well-being and success of my team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"The current ministerial code," he added "binding on British ministers, requires them as an overarching duty to 'comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations'".

The Guardian

The code states that there is an overarching duty on ministers to comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations and to uphold the administration of justice and to protect the integrity of public life".

The Guardian

Commenting on the outcome, the NMC's chief executive, Jackie Smith, said: "As the independent panel recognised, the NMC has an overarching duty to protect the health and wellbeing of the public and need to ensure the maintenance of public confidence in the profession.

The Guardian

In the new version the sentence has been edited to say only that there is an "overarching duty on ministers to comply with the law and to protect the integrity of public life".

The Guardian

Until 15 October, the ministerial code referred to an "overarching duty on ministers to comply with the law including international law and treaty obligations and to uphold the administration of justice".

The Guardian

The previous code, issued in 2010, said there was an "overarching duty on ministers to comply with the law including international law and treaty obligations and to uphold the administration of justice and to protect the integrity of public life".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The school added: "This safeguarding step can not be criticised, as the school had due regard to its overarching duty to safeguard pupils and the need to prevent them being drawn into terrorism".

The Guardian

In this view, we would have to quell our instinct to find leisure moments to savor time with our children, in favor of our overarching duty to work.

Huffington Post

Here is the true blending of countries and peoples, the genuine mixture of cultures and aesthetics, the astounding example of what can be created when peoples come together under an overarching discipline of belief, duty and love.

Forbes

without making an overarching judgment.

The New York Times - Magazine

Clouds fused into an overarching gray sky.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overarching duty", ensure that the context clearly defines what specific actions or responsibilities fall under this broad obligation. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an overarching duty" when the responsibility is limited or specific. This phrase implies a broad and encompassing obligation; using it inappropriately can inflate the importance of the duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overarching duty" functions as a noun phrase, where "overarching" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "duty". It is used to describe a responsibility that is primary, fundamental, and takes precedence over other considerations. Ludwig confirms the validity and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an overarching duty" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a primary or fundamental obligation. Ludwig's analysis, in alignment with the search results, indicates that it is most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly defines the scope of the duty to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include ""primary obligation"", "fundamental responsibility", and "key responsibility". Remember to avoid overstating the scope of the duty to maintain accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary obligation

Replaces "overarching duty" with "primary obligation", emphasizing the fundamental nature of the duty.

a fundamental responsibility

Substitutes "overarching duty" with "fundamental responsibility", highlighting the essential aspect of the responsibility.

a key responsibility

Replaces 'overarching' with 'key', suggesting a central and important duty.

a chief obligation

Uses "chief" instead of "overarching", indicating the most important obligation.

a paramount responsibility

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the responsibility using "paramount".

the main duty

Simplifies the phrase by using "main" instead of "overarching", conveying the primary duty.

the principal obligation

Replaces "overarching duty" with "principal obligation", indicating a leading obligation.

a core responsibility

Highlights the centrality of the responsibility by using "core".

a supreme obligation

Highlights that the obligation has the highest precedence over other actions or considerations.

the overriding duty

Changes to "overriding", conveying the idea that this duty takes precedence over others.

FAQs

What does "an overarching duty" mean?

The phrase "an overarching duty" refers to a primary or fundamental obligation that encompasses other, smaller duties or considerations. It implies a broad responsibility that takes precedence.

How can I use "an overarching duty" in a sentence?

You can use "an overarching duty" to describe a core responsibility, such as, "The company's "primary obligation" is to protect its customers' data."

What are some alternatives to "an overarching duty"?

Alternatives include "primary responsibility", "fundamental obligation", or "key responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "an overarching duty"?

It is appropriate when describing a responsibility that is broad, fundamental, and takes precedence over other concerns. For example, a government might have "an overarching duty" to protect its citizens.