end of duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "end of duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to the conclusion of a task, responsibility, or service, often in formal or military settings. Example: "After years of dedicated service, he finally reached the end of duty and retired with honor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

All observations took place on weekdays during the day, beginning at the physician's arrival at the hospital, and ending at the physician's end of duty.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Garner's end-of-duty report had assured the President that most services in Iraq would be restored within a few weeks.

The New Yorker

The last decade has been dominated by the end of duty-free sales.

The Guardian - Travel

Volume slid in markets like Central and Eastern Europe, the company said, and duty-free shipments were lower because of the end of duty-free sales within the European Union.

The New York Times

Date of birth, date of death, date of employment, date of end of active duty, reason of end of active duty, duration of employment according to the type of tasks (fire fighting & rescue service vs. administration) and rank were obtained for pensioners and active fire fighters from the Hamburg Fire Department.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

"We thought we all might have dinner on Saturday, celebrate the end of your duty".

The New Yorker

At the end of their duty each day workers are debriefed, asked to explain what they saw, how they felt and how they coped with it, officials said.

The New York Times

You can eat a satisfying meal quickly -- you can't go wrong with oysters on the half shell or the excellent pan roasts -- or you can have something more elaborate, perhaps if you're celebrating the end of jury duty.

The New York Times - Arts

At this TriBeCa restaurant, you can eat a satisfying meal quickly -- you can't go wrong with oysters on the half shell -- or you can have something more elaborate, perhaps to celebrate the end of jury duty.

The New York Times

Promotion to flag rank also saw the end of his duty as ADC to the King.

Wikipedia

But this can't be the end of the "duty" discussion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "end of duty" in formal writing or when referring to military, professional, or official contexts where a defined period of service or responsibility is concluding. Ensure the context clearly indicates what specific duty is ending.

Common error

Avoid using "end of duty" interchangeably with phrases like "end of day" or "end of task" in informal contexts. "End of duty" carries a connotation of formal service or obligation, making it less suitable for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "end of duty" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used as a prepositional complement. It signifies the termination or conclusion of a task, responsibility, or service, especially in formal or military contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "end of duty" signifies the conclusion of a formally assigned task or period of service. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for use, particularly in formal and professional settings, often associated with military or official responsibilities. The phrase carries a tone of finality and is used to mark the completion of a specific obligation. When used, it's essential to clarify the context, specifying which "duty" is concluding. While alternative phrases like "completion of service" or "termination of assignment" exist, "end of duty" specifically implies a formal and often obligatory role. Remember to use this phrase when the gravity and formality of the situation align with its inherent connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conclusion of tour

Often used to describe the finish of a period of service, especially in military or diplomatic contexts.

completion of service

Focuses on the act of finishing a period of service, often military or professional.

finish of commitment

Refers to the completion of a dedicated promise or undertaking.

termination of assignment

Highlights the conclusion of a specific task or project.

end of term

Specifically refers to the conclusion of a designated period, like a political or academic term.

end of shift

Applies to the conclusion of a work period, often in hourly jobs.

lapse of duty

Indicates the termination or discontinuation of a task.

cessation of responsibility

Emphasizes the ceasing of obligations or duties.

discharge of obligation

Stresses the fulfillment and release from a duty.

expiration of mandate

Concerns the ending of an authorized period or instruction.

FAQs

What's the difference between "end of duty" and "end of service"?

"End of duty" typically refers to a specific task or obligation concluding, while "end of service" usually indicates the completion of a longer period of employment or commitment. The former is more task-oriented, the latter more career-oriented.

When is it appropriate to use "end of duty" in a sentence?

Use "end of duty" when you want to emphasize the formal conclusion of a task, obligation, or period of service. For example, "The soldier was honored at the "completion of service"" or "The diplomat left the country at the end of his duty".

Are there more informal ways to say "end of duty"?

In more casual contexts, you might use phrases like "job's done", "task completed", or "shift's over". However, keep in mind that "end of duty" is typically reserved for formal situations.

Can "end of duty" apply to non-military contexts?

Yes, while often associated with military service, "end of duty" can also refer to the completion of any formal obligation or assigned task, such as a diplomatic assignment, jury duty, or a specific project within a company.