duties to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duties to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing responsibilities or obligations that one has towards someone or something. Example: "As a citizen, I have certain duties to my community that I must fulfill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You do have duties to your employer.

The New York Times - Magazine

He stepped down from his duties to fight the case.

The Economist

He had already turned over his duties to Frédéric Barnier.

The New York Times - Food

Parents, spouses, teachers and employers have duties to protect.

The New York Times

He began transferring more editing duties to them.

The New York Times - Books

Doctors already have duties to speak the truth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our duties to social justice by no means end there.

The New York Times

Earlier on Friday, Ventrillon had other duties to attend to.

The Guardian

He shares godparenting duties to Cameron's first child with Whetstone.

The Guardian

Instead, he has delegated such duties to his two sons.

The Guardian

And those with duties to shareholders are no less compromised.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "duties to", ensure the object of the preposition ('to') is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "duties to shareholders" rather than simply "duties".

Common error

Avoid using "duties to" in excessively broad contexts without specifying who or what the duties pertain to. For example, instead of saying "everyone has duties to society", specify which duties you are referring to such as "duties to obey laws" or "duties to contribute to the community".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duties to" functions as a prepositional phrase specifying obligations or responsibilities that one entity has towards another. As Ludwig AI suggests, it correctly conveys the idea of having defined responsibilities. The examples in Ludwig show how it is used to specify those to whom duties are owed, such as "duties to shareholders" or "duties to the company".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "duties to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate obligations or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is versatile and can be used in a range of contexts, from news and media to science and business. While the phrase is generally clear, it's best practice to specify to whom or what the duties are owed. Alternatives like "responsibilities toward" and "obligations to" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsibilities toward

Focuses on the accountability one has in relation to another.

obligations toward

Emphasizes the binding nature of the responsibilities.

commitments to

Highlights the promises or agreements one has made.

liabilities to

Stresses the legal or financial burdens one must bear.

accountabilities to

Focuses on being answerable for one's actions or decisions.

assignments for

Refers to specific tasks or roles that have been given to someone.

services for

Highlights the actions performed to benefit someone or something.

tasks related to

Focuses on the specific jobs or activities that need to be done.

chores for

Implies routine or mundane tasks.

burdens for

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty of the responsibilities.

FAQs

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

The phrase "duties to" is used to express obligations or responsibilities that one has towards someone or something. For example, "Directors and officers owe fiduciary "duties to" their company."

What are some alternatives to "duties to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "responsibilities toward", "obligations to", or "commitments to".

Is it correct to say "duty to" instead of "duties to"?

Yes, "duty to" is also correct, but it refers to a singular obligation, while "duties to" refers to multiple obligations. For example, "He has a "duty to" report the incident," versus "He has "duties to" his family."

What is the difference between "duties to" and "rights of"?

"Duties to" refers to obligations one has towards others, while "rights of" refers to entitlements one possesses. They are reciprocal concepts; for example, the "duties to" protect children correspond to the "rights of" children to be protected.