duly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "duly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used in the sense of "appropriately, or in a timely manner". For example, you could say: "The paperwork was completed duly and submitted on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His interviewer duly bet him €50 at that price.

The Guardian - Sport

Newspapers across the political spectrum duly went into outrage mode.

The Guardian

So some legends have been carted out, Beetson has been duly honoured, and the fireworks are lighting up the night sky.

The Guardian - Sport

He bounds back up the stairs from the car park and sits again, lip duly salved.

The Guardian - Film

An Ofcom spokesperson said: "Ofcom is investigating whether the programme was duly impartial to ask Nigel Farage about his prospects of winning the Thanet South constituency without reflecting the position of other candidates".

The Guardian

Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt's office issued a statement saying: "As is our duty, our office will provide for a vigorous defense of the state's duly enacted laws".

The Guardian

So the Ipso decision was unsurprising and the Express, as ordered, has duly published its adjudication.

The Guardian

He was linked with the vacancy at Tottenham Hotspur following the December sacking of André Villas-Boas, but Tim Sherwood, initially caretaker manager, was duly handed the role on a permanent basis to end speculation.

The Guardian - Sport

A ramshackle back line was duly pierced for a second time as the grounded Müller conjured a hooked pass to liberate Podolski, with his centre beyond Nicolás Burdisso tapped into the gaping net by Klose.

The Guardian - Sport

The official announcement duly referred to Fox being unavoidably detained in the Gulf.

The Guardian

The lower league team duly passed up a glorious chance for an opener.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "duly" to emphasize that an action was performed correctly and in accordance with expectations, especially in formal or official contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "duly" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more natural alternatives like "as expected" or "correctly" to maintain a suitable tone.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "duly" primarily functions as a modifier, indicating that an action is performed in a correct, appropriate, or expected manner. As shown by Ludwig, it often emphasizes the proper execution or timing of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "duly" is a versatile adverb signifying that an action has been performed correctly, appropriately, or at the expected time. As shown by Ludwig, its primary function is to emphasize order and compliance, especially in formal contexts like news reporting, business, and official communications. While "duly" is grammatically correct and frequently used, it's best to avoid it in informal settings, opting for more casual alternatives like "properly" or "as expected". Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of "duly" in written English, particularly emphasizing its role in professional contexts. The term appears frequently in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriately

Focuses on the suitability of the action for the given context.

properly

Emphasizes the correctness and adherence to standards or rules.

in a fitting manner

Highlights the appropriateness and suitability of the action.

as expected

Suggests the action occurred according to anticipation or prediction.

in accordance with

Implies compliance with rules, laws, or agreements.

at the proper time

Indicates timeliness and punctuality.

punctually

Emphasizes the promptness of the action.

according to protocol

Highlights adherence to established procedures or etiquette.

in due course

Suggests that something will happen at the appropriate time in the future.

in the correct way

Focuses on the accuracy and method of execution.

FAQs

How to use "duly" in a sentence?

You can use "duly" to indicate that something is done correctly or at the expected time, as in "The matter was "duly noted"" or "The form was "duly completed" and submitted."

What can I say instead of "duly"?

You can use alternatives like "appropriately", "properly", or "as expected" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "duly noted" or "due noted"?

"Duly noted" is the correct phrase. "Duly" signifies that something has been properly recorded or acknowledged, while "due" refers to something that is owed or expected.

What's the difference between "duly" and "fully"?

"Duly" implies something is done correctly or at the right time, while "fully" means completely or entirely. For example, "The form was "duly completed"" means it was done correctly. "The form was "fully completed"" means all sections were filled out.