central duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "central duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a primary or most important responsibility or obligation in a given context. Example: "As the project manager, my central duty is to ensure that the team meets its deadlines and delivers quality work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

S.&P. and Moody's are charged with the enormous obligation to be the unbiased arbiters of risk, and on this central duty they have failed miserably.

The New York Times

This central duty to benefit the community is felt more keenly, given that there was some local resistance in the area to the stadium being built on common space, and the disruption a football club could bring.

The Guardian - Sport

The committee makes a series of interesting points about the inner workings of the IPSA system - how supporting the work of MPs is something IPSA, merely has to "have regard to," rather than its central duty, for example.

BBC

But when it comes to the International Crisis Group, it looks a lot more like a basic abdication of the central duty for which the organization was originally founded.

Huffington Post

We, as socialists, remain convinced that employment is the central duty of Europe.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

And this honesty, expressed through a form of ironic distance, itself becomes one of the central duties of Elkin's flâneuse.

The Guardian - Books

Patrolling the boundaries of acceptable thought on the right has always been one of the central duties of the conservative intellectual, and JAG's voluntary purging was the latest chapter in a long battle to define the meaning of conservatism.

The Guardian

Directors have two central fiduciary duties: the duty of care and the duty of loyalty.

Huffington Post

Lloyd, asked to share central midfielder duties with Holiday, has put in the work and followed the game plan.

The Guardian - Sport

This pilgrimage, one of the central religious duties of Islam, draws 1 2 million Muslims from around the world to Saudi Arabia.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This represents both a dereliction of the central bank's duty and an astounding policy overreach.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "central duty", ensure the context clearly establishes whose duty it is and why it is considered central. Be specific in defining the scope and impact of this duty to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "central duty" for tasks that are merely routine or of secondary importance. Reserving it for truly pivotal responsibilities maintains its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s usable in written English and denotes a primary responsibility. For example, "Employment is the central duty of Europe."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "central duty" is a noun phrase used to denote a primary or essential responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates it’s correct and usable in English. While relatively rare, the phrase appears mostly in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. When using "central duty", it's important to clearly define the context and scope of the duty to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "primary obligation" or "main responsibility" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary obligation

Emphasizes the binding nature of the responsibility; changes the noun.

main responsibility

Focuses on the most important task; replaces "duty" with a more common term.

core responsibility

Highlights the fundamental nature of the responsibility; uses "core" to strengthen the idea of centrality.

key responsibility

Indicates a critical task or function; uses a simpler adjective.

principal task

Replaces "duty" with "task", focusing on the work to be done.

chief obligation

Highlights the hierarchical importance of the duty; uses 'chief' to imply highest rank.

fundamental responsibility

Underlines the foundational importance; changes 'central' to 'fundamental'.

essential function

Shifts focus to the practical role or purpose; replaces both nouns.

prime directive

Suggests a governing principle; implies a high level of authority.

overriding concern

Emphasizes the importance of the duty as a prevailing consideration.

FAQs

What does "central duty" mean?

"Central duty" refers to the most important responsibility or obligation within a specific context. It's the core task that one is expected to perform.

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

You can use "central duty" in sentences like: "The "central duty of" a teacher is to educate their students" or "Ensuring customer satisfaction is the company's "main responsibility"".

What are some alternatives to "central duty"?

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

Is "central duty" formal or informal?

The phrase "central duty" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It's less common in informal settings, where simpler terms like "main job" might be preferred.