civic duty

USAGE SUMMARY

'civic duty' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to refer to an obligation to participate in cooperative activities for the benefit of the larger community. For example, "It is our civic duty to ensure that all members of our community have access to clean and safe water."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's enough civic duty.

The New Yorker

CIVIC DUTY: In wide release.

The New Yorker

It's practically a civic duty.

The New York Times

"Now it's part of my civic duty".

The New York Times

I had done my civic duty.

The New Yorker

Both dubiously equate populism with civic duty.

The New York Times - Arts

Eventually, audience participation became a civic duty.

The Guardian - Opinion

For many, voting is a civic duty.

University of California, Berkeley

"They were doing their civic duty, and I mean that.

The New York Times

That, of course, was merely his civic duty.

The New York Times - Sports

He feels it is his civic duty to inform them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "civic duty", ensure the context clearly indicates an action that benefits the community or society as a whole. For instance, voting, volunteering, or obeying laws are all examples of fulfilling one's "civic duty".

Common error

Avoid framing actions motivated by personal gain as a "civic duty". True "civic duty" involves actions undertaken for the betterment of the community, not for individual advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "civic duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a responsibility or obligation of a citizen to their community or nation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is grammatically correct and widely understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "civic duty" is a well-established phrase that denotes the responsibilities and obligations of citizens towards their community or nation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. This phrase is commonly found in news and media, academic discussions, and formal contexts, serving to emphasize the importance of citizen participation and contribution to the common good. When using "civic duty", it's crucial to ensure that the actions described genuinely benefit the community and are not primarily motivated by personal gain. Related phrases, such as "social responsibility" or "public service", can be used as alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

citizen's duty

Simple variation using a possessive form.

responsibility as a citizen

More explicit restatement of the core concept.

responsibility to society

Focuses on the broader societal aspect of the obligation.

obligation to the community

Highlights the commitment to one's local area.

public service

Emphasizes the act of serving the public good.

community involvement

Suggests active participation in local affairs.

patriotic responsibility

Links the duty to one's love for their country.

social responsibility

Highlights the ethical dimension of the obligation.

moral imperative

Stresses the ethical necessity of the action.

social contract obligation

Frames the duty within a theoretical agreement between individuals and society.

FAQs

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

You can use "civic duty" to describe actions like voting, volunteering, or jury service that benefit society. For example, "Serving on a jury is an important "civic duty"."

What's a synonym for "civic duty"?

Alternatives to "civic duty" include "public service", "social responsibility", or "community involvement" depending on the specific context.

Is fulfilling my "civic duty" important?

Yes, fulfilling your "civic duty" is crucial for a functioning democracy and a healthy society. It involves participating in activities that contribute to the common good.

What is the difference between "civic duty" and "legal obligation"?

"Civic duty" refers to actions that are morally and socially encouraged, while "legal obligation" refers to actions required by law. While some "civic duties", like paying taxes, are also legal obligations, many, such as volunteering, are not.