be on duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be on duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is currently working or responsible for a task or role, often in a professional or service context. Example: "The nurse will be on duty throughout the night to ensure all patients are well cared for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They added that at least one doctor would be on duty with a special nurse 24 hours daily.

The New York Times

This means every one of us will have to be on duty and nobody can have a holiday or weekend".

BBC

"We are supposed to be on duty".

The New York Times

You must be on duty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Might she be on duty again this early?

The New York Times

A doorman will be on duty round the clock.

The New York Times

About 7,000 police will be on duty.

The Guardian

Previously, drivers could be on duty for 24 hours straight.

The New York Times

All the department's 3,600 officers will be on duty.

The New York Times

About 28,000 police officers would be on duty.

The New York Times

Doctors and technicians will be on duty around the clock.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scheduled work shifts or rotations, use "be on duty" to clearly indicate who is actively working and responsible at a given time.

Common error

Avoid using "be on duty" when simply referring to someone's presence at a workplace. "Be on duty" specifically implies an active role and responsibility, not just physical presence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be on duty" functions as a predicate, indicating the state of being actively engaged in required tasks or responsibilities. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be on duty" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone is actively working and responsible. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability across a range of writing contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academia, it conveys a clear message about work schedules and responsibilities. While versatile, it's important to remember that "be on duty" implies active engagement, not just presence. Alternatives like "be at work" or "be available" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be at work

This alternative is more general, focusing on the act of working rather than the specific responsibility.

be working

This is a simple alternative emphasizing the action of performing a job.

be in service

This option highlights being in a state of providing service.

be available

This emphasizes readiness and accessibility for tasks or requests.

be on call

This implies being readily available for duty if needed, often outside of regular hours.

be assigned

This focuses on being given a specific task or responsibility.

be responsible

This highlights accountability and oversight.

be in charge

This suggests having control and authority over a situation or task.

be the designated person

This emphasizes the act of being officially selected to fulfill the role.

be the point person

This emphasizes the act of being the primary contact for duty.

FAQs

How to use "be on duty" in a sentence?

Use "be on duty" to indicate that someone is currently working and responsible for specific tasks. For example, "The doctor will be "be on duty" all night" or "More police will "be on duty" during the event".

What can I say instead of "be on duty"?

You can use alternatives like "be at work", "be working", or "be available" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "be on duty" and "be on call"?

"Be on duty" means actively working and responsible, while "be on call" means being available to work if needed, often outside of regular hours. Someone "on call" might not be actively working, but must be ready to respond.

Is "be on duty" formal or informal?

"Be on duty" is generally considered neutral to professional in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reports, business communications, and general conversations.