during duty hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during duty hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the specific hours when someone is expected to be working or on duty. Example: "Please ensure that all communications are handled promptly during duty hours to maintain efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Just under 50percentt said the harassment occurred during duty hours.

The New York Times

The bulk of the harassment was in a work area or in formation during duty hours.

The New York Times

It detailed them: "misleading sales presentations, presentations by unauthorized personnel, presentations to captive audiences, soliciting during duty hours and soliciting in the barracks".

The New York Times

He tried to escape during duty hours by scaling a chain link fence at the edge of the island.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Recent literature reports an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in nonemergency operations performed during nonregular duty hours at large institutions.

Journal of Surgical Education

Partial or limited access may also be granted to a person for independent access only during normal duty hours.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

We contend that many residents have recognized this conundrum and have taken steps to reduce their personal sleep deprivation by improving their likelihood of sleep during off duty hours through the use of pharmacological sleep aids.

BMC Health Services Research

The study seeks to answer the question as to whether it is safe to continue performing appendectomies during non-normal duty hours at a low-volume institution.

Journal of Surgical Education

This may be due in part to decreased senior resident fatigue during teaching duties given shorter consecutive duty hours and the addition of the simulation-based medical education curriculum.

BMC Medical Education

Since dehydration reduces the capacity for absorption from the gut, workers must be educated regarding the importance of drinking enough water during work and continuing generous rehydration during off-duty hours (14).

Global Health Action

Previous work demonstrates that many surgery residents underreport duty hours.

Journal of Surgical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about policies or regulations, "during duty hours" provides a precise and professional way to refer to on-the-clock time.

Common error

Avoid using "during duty hours" when you actually mean off-duty time. The opposite of "during duty hours" is not the same as "free time", but rather the time when one is not officially working or on call.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during duty hours" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the time frame in which an action occurs. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage in providing temporal context, as observed in both exact and similar examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during duty hours" is a grammatically sound and professionally appropriate phrase used to denote actions or events occurring within a specified work period. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase effectively provides temporal context in both formal and neutral settings. While it is not exceedingly common, it is frequently observed across a range of contexts, most notably in news, science, and formal business environments. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly distinguishes on-the-clock activities from off-duty time, thus preventing potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during work hours

This option is a direct synonym, emphasizing the period when work is performed.

within working hours

This alternative focuses on the general timeframe of work, implying a broader scope of activity.

during business hours

This focuses on the time when the business is open and operating.

on company time

This phrase highlights that the time spent is being paid for by the company.

while on shift

This is used in workplaces that operate in shifts.

during service hours

Highlights that time is spent in customer service.

during operational hours

Highlights a period where operations are running.

on the job

This is a broader term implying any activity occurring while at work.

at work

This phrase very simply refers to the situation where someone is working.

on duty

This alternative is shorter but also more general, referring to the state of being on call or responsible.

FAQs

How can I use "during duty hours" in a sentence?

You can use "during duty hours" to specify when an event occurs within a workday. For example, "All employees must attend the training session "during duty hours"".

What phrases can I use instead of "during duty hours"?

Alternatives include "within working hours", "during work hours", or "on company time" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "during duty hours" and "during business hours"?

"During duty hours" refers to the time an individual is actively working, while "during business hours" indicates the time a business is open and operating. The former focuses on employee activity, the latter on operational availability.

Is it correct to use "during duty hours" in formal writing?

Yes, "during duty hours" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when specifying official policies or regulations. It provides clarity and precision in professional contexts.