defined duties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defined duties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific responsibilities or tasks that have been clearly outlined or established, often in a professional or organizational context. Example: "In the job description, the defined duties include managing the team, overseeing projects, and ensuring deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Now that he is a free agent, though, the pitcher wants to find a team that will give him more defined duties.

The New York Times - Sports

While the commissioners say there is annual pay of more than $400,000 for shop stewards who have no clearly defined duties, Mr. Daggett testified to the contrary.

The New York Times

In Escoffier's time, the duties and responsibilities of each functionary were sharply defined, but in modern times, rising labour costs and the need for faster service have broken down such rigidly defined duties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These directors serve three year terms and have certain defined duties, including sitting on the companies' audit committee and signing off on any conflicted transactions with management or controlling shareholders.

The New York Times

Conservatives faulted Mr. Blair for assigning many of the lord chancellor's responsibilities to a new Ministry of Constitutional Affairs with vaguely defined duties and then for installing at its head one of his oldest friends, Lord Falconer, a roommate of his when they were starting their legal careers in London in the 1970's.

The New York Times

France produced many of the world's finest chefs, including Georges-Auguste Escoffier, who organized the kitchens for the luxury hotels owned by César Ritz, developing the so-called brigade de cuisine, or kitchen team, consisting of highly trained experts each with clearly defined duties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Giving yourself a well defined duty when you divorce is smart.

Forbes

If a doctor or a lawyer did that, they'd be kicked to the curb, because they have a legally defined duty to protect privileged data.

TechCrunch

We define duty cycle of super-frame as: Duty cycle = Active period Active period + inactive period Duty cycle = SD BI (1).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Defining duty cycle as the proportion of time the system is awake or active in a cycle, we now have Equation 12 dutycycle = t Draw t Draw + t Charge (12).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Scouts Canada defines Duty to God broadly in terms of "adherence to spiritual principles" and leaves it to the individual member or leader whether they can follow a Scout Promise that includes Duty to God.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing job descriptions, use "defined duties" to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity about what is expected of the employee.

Common error

Avoid using "defined duties" if the actual responsibilities are flexible or subject to change. In dynamic environments, use terms like "expected contributions" or "key responsibilities" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defined duties" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "defined" modifies the noun "duties". As Ludwig AI states, it refers to responsibilities or tasks that have been clearly outlined or established.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defined duties" is grammatically correct and serves to clearly specify responsibilities or tasks. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability, highlighting contexts where clarity and precision are essential. Although relatively uncommon, "defined duties" finds its niche in news, scientific, and encyclopedic writing. When seeking alternative phrases, consider "specified responsibilities" or "clearly outlined tasks" to maintain clarity while varying word choice. Using the term appropriately can prevent ambiguity in roles and expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specified responsibilities

Replaces "duties" with the more formal "responsibilities" and "defined" with "specified", emphasizing clarity.

clearly outlined tasks

Focuses on "tasks" rather than "duties", suggesting a more concrete set of actions with emphasis on clarity.

well-defined roles

Swaps "duties" for "roles", broadening the scope from specific actions to overall positions or functions.

explicit responsibilities

Replaces "defined" with "explicit", highlighting the unambiguous and direct nature of the responsibilities.

prescribed functions

Uses "prescribed" to indicate that the functions are officially or formally set.

designated tasks

Emphasizes the assignment of specific tasks, shifting focus from general duties to allocated actions.

set obligations

Replaces "duties" with "obligations", implying a legal or moral imperative.

established responsibilities

Focuses on the fact that responsibilities have already been established, suggesting a historical context.

mandated duties

Indicates that the duties are required by a law or rule, adding a layer of formal authority.

detailed assignments

Replaces duties and defined with a focus on the level of information available.

FAQs

How can I use "defined duties" in a sentence?

You can use "defined duties" to describe responsibilities that are clearly outlined and specified, such as "The contract clearly stated the "defined duties" of each team member."

What is an alternative to saying "defined duties"?

Alternatives include "specified responsibilities", "clearly outlined tasks", or "well-defined roles", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "defined duties" or "assigned tasks"?

"Defined duties" generally refers to a broader set of responsibilities that are part of a role, while "assigned tasks" refers to specific, individual actions. The choice depends on whether you're discussing ongoing responsibilities or specific projects.

How do "defined duties" differ from "implied responsibilities"?

"Defined duties" are explicitly stated, whereas "implied responsibilities" are not directly mentioned but are understood as part of a role or position. It's better to define duties to avoid misunderstandings.