duty at hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "duty at hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the current task or responsibility that one is focused on or required to address. Example: "As we gather for this meeting, let us concentrate on the duty at hand and ensure we make progress on our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And photographs, printed memorabilia and a fire-prevention video, with real firemen, not now on active duty, at hand to assure a knowledgeable and friendly visit.

The New York Times - Arts

Schmidt and his colleagues felt a larger duty at hand than advancing a personal agenda.

Huffington Post

"Nothing about any outfit any member of royalty wears should distract from the duty at hand," he said.

HuffPost

But like many Olympians before him, he doesn't let the brief tumble discourage him from the duty at hand.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

A high percentage of the collisions or near misses I have witnessed are due to two primary things: skippers' lack of visibility all around the vessel and the skipper simply not paying attention to the duties at hand.

Los Angeles Times

Could a Call of Duty settlement be at hand? Key pre-trial motions in the high-stakes lawsuit involving Activision Blizzard Inc.'s Call of Duty game franchise abruptly ceased Tuesday morning, prompting speculation as to whether such talks are underway.

Los Angeles Times

"Thematically you can look at my choices and there's always some kind of heavy-duty maternal issue at hand, even in The Conjuring.

The Guardian - Film

The sense of duty to the job at hand provides a moral compass.

Huffington Post

Indeed, the time to address the ethical duty to provide care is at hand – before the arrival of the next public health emergency.

BMC Medical Ethics

The practical issues at hand included preparing duty rosters, establishing a system for booking appointments and writing information leaflets.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

By the rules of Cheyenne society, the currently "on duty" warrior society had sole prerogative in the task at hand.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “duty at hand” in contexts where fulfilling a responsibility or obligation is central to the action being described. It's suitable when emphasizing the importance of focus and commitment to a specific task.

Common error

Avoid using "duty at hand" when referring to ongoing, general responsibilities. This phrase is best reserved for specific tasks requiring immediate attention. For broader responsibilities, use terms like “general duties” or “regular responsibilities”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duty at hand" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a preposition or verb. Ludwig shows it refers to a specific task, obligation, or responsibility that needs immediate attention. It often emphasizes focusing on the task at hand.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "duty at hand" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize the importance of focusing on a specific, current task or obligation. Ludwig analysis confirms its neutral to professional register and its prevalence in news, media and formal business contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is well-understood and effectively conveys a sense of immediate responsibility. Alternatives like "current task" or "present responsibility" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Overall, understanding its appropriate context ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current task

Focuses on the work aspect rather than the obligation.

present responsibility

Emphasizes the accountability aspect.

task at the moment

Highlights the temporality and immediacy of the task.

current obligation

Stresses the binding nature of the task.

immediate responsibility

Underscores the urgency and accountability.

pressing task

Emphasizes the urgency and importance.

task at present

Highlights the task's occurrence in the present time.

ongoing duty

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the task.

existing obligation

Highlights the already present nature of the duty.

priority task

Highlights that the task should be completed before others.

FAQs

How can I use "duty at hand" in a sentence?

You can use "duty at hand" to emphasize the importance of focusing on a specific task or obligation. For example: "As we gather for this meeting, let us concentrate on the "duty at hand" and ensure we make progress on our project."

What is a good alternative to "duty at hand"?

Alternatives to "duty at hand" include phrases like "current task", "present responsibility", or "immediate responsibility", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "duty at hand" formal or informal?

"Duty at hand" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate for professional settings, news reports, and situations where a sense of obligation or responsibility needs to be conveyed.

What's the difference between "duty at hand" and "task at hand"?

While both refer to something needing attention, "duty at hand" implies a stronger sense of obligation or moral imperative compared to "task at hand", which simply refers to the work needing to be done.