communal duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "communal duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to responsibilities or obligations that are shared among members of a community. Example: "As citizens, we all have a communal duty to protect our environment and support one another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But while Mr. Castro rebuked his countrymen for losing their "honesty, decency, sense of shame, decorum, honor and sensitivity to others' problems," many Cubans accused the government of clinging to an unworkable economic system while the country's infrastructure and social services crumbled and, with them, the people's sense of communal duty.

The New York Times

For protecting the rights of the most disadvantaged children is our communal duty – and we can only succeed through our collective effort.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All of the engaging people in the movie — the heroine Garance, the hero Baptiste Deburau — are forgiven for throwing duty and communal responsibility aside, while the voice of duty and responsibility belongs to Baptiste Deburau's wife Nathalie, a big bourgeois bore.

The New Yorker

It was the state that told us the enemy was a Tutsi, and when I killed it was like communal work duty".

The New Yorker

"Many older Poles complain that people have become colder, more anonymous, and that neighbors simply don't look out for each other as they did in the past — despite the fact that in many buildings they have to share communal cleaning duties like washing the concrete steps in the stairways," says Karien Brits, 29, from South Africa.

The New York Times

The coal is supplied by a communal services district whose duty is to keep the utilities humming in the Razdolnoye area.

The New York Times

communal living; communalism".  .

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Potential for Danger on Every Call The search-and-rescue bell roared to life at 4 a.m. on this particular Saturday, wailing through the ceiling speakers of the communal station house where the duty crew sleeps.

The New York Times

But the days of mucking in, sharing washing-up duties, and queuing for communal bathrooms are long gone.

Independent

She took her meals in the cafeteria, waited to use the communal phone, and performed the "therapeutic duties" required of all patients (bed-making, coffee-making, light sweeping).

The New Yorker

He kept count of the litters laid, and whether they were raised in solitary nests (those that consisted of only one female and her family) or communal nests (in which females shared maternal duties, irrespective of who sired their offspring).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "communal duty" when emphasizing the shared responsibility of a community towards a specific cause or goal. For instance, in discussions about environmental protection or social welfare, the phrase underscores the collective nature of the responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "communal duty" to describe actions or responsibilities that are primarily individual. The phrase emphasizes shared effort, so ensure the context reflects a collective undertaking rather than a personal obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communal duty" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object, defining a shared obligation or responsibility within a community. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "communal duty" refers to the shared responsibilities and obligations within a community. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a relatively rare expression. It's primarily used in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts, to highlight the collective nature of a responsibility. Alternatives like "shared responsibility" or "collective obligation" can be used for similar effect. Remember to use "communal duty" when you wish to emphasize a community's shared commitment to a cause or goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shared responsibility

Focuses on the aspect of responsibility being divided among a group instead of the duty.

Collective responsibility

Emphasizes the group as a whole being accountable, similar to "communal duty".

Civic duty

Highlights the obligation of citizens to their community or nation.

Social responsibility

Broader in scope, encompassing ethical behavior towards society.

Community obligation

Replaces "duty" with "obligation", keeping the communal aspect.

Public service

Emphasizes the act of serving the community, a consequence of fulfilling a communal duty.

Common cause

Highlights a shared goal requiring unified action.

Mutual obligation

Stresses the reciprocal nature of obligations within a community.

Group commitment

Focuses on the dedication of a group towards a shared purpose or responsibility.

Corporate social responsibility

Typically used in a business context to describe a company's commitment to ethical and sustainable practices that benefit society.

FAQs

What does "communal duty" mean?

"Communal duty" refers to the shared responsibilities and obligations that members of a community have towards each other and the well-being of the community as a whole.

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

You might say, "Protecting the environment is a "communal duty" that we all share" or "Supporting local businesses is a "communal duty" that strengthens our community."

What are some alternatives to "communal duty"?

Some alternatives include "shared responsibility", "collective obligation", or "civic duty", depending on the specific context.

Is "communal duty" the same as "civic duty"?

While related, "communal duty" emphasizes the obligations within a smaller community, whereas "civic duty" often refers to obligations to a larger political entity like a city, state, or nation.