existing duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "existing duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a responsibility or obligation that is already in place. Example: "The company must fulfill its existing duty to provide a safe working environment for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The 2011 ACGME resident duty hour reform implemented additional restrictions to existing duty hour policies.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Thus, cheese valued at $10, now selling for $11.50 because of the existing duty, would cost $30.

The New York Times

Yet the protocol says "no such information may be withheld, with the exception of information HMG holds which is covered by an existing duty of confidentiality".

The Guardian - Opinion

proclaim such modification or continuance of any existing duty or other import restriction, such continuance of existing duty-free or excise treatment, or such additional import restrictions, as he determines to be required or appropriate to carry out any such trade agreement.

Cornell University

Robert Moretto, asked by lecturers' leaders to advise on the plans, says they are in conflict with the existing duty through the Education Act of 1986 on universities to protect free speech.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I support the president's objective to maintain existing duty-free market access for agricultural goods, as it is important for industries in many states, including my home state of Oklahoma.

The Washington Post

That doesn't mean shirking existing duties.

The Washington Post

3. Look for overlap with your existing duties.

Harvard Business Review

Twenty-four of the existing duties target Chinese steel, which is less than 3percentt of U.S. steel imports.

The Washington Post

Library managers were expected to register births and deaths on top of their existing duties, and registrars took on roles in libraries.

The Guardian

It sends vehicles to the Chinese market from its plant in Fremont, Calif., and its chief executive, Elon Musk, has expressed frustration even at the existing duties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical requirements, use "existing duty" to clearly denote responsibilities that are already in effect. This avoids ambiguity and emphasizes the established nature of the obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "existing duty" when referring to prospective responsibilities or obligations that are not yet in effect. Use terms like "potential duty" or "future obligation" instead to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "existing duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It denotes a responsibility or obligation that is already in effect, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "existing duty" is a grammatically sound and valid expression, albeit not very common, used to refer to a responsibility or obligation already in place. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific writing, it serves to clearly identify pre-established obligations. While ""current obligation"" and ""pre-existing responsibility"" offer suitable alternatives, "existing duty" should not be used for future or potential duties, maintaining clarity by choosing the suitable wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

current obligation

Replaces "existing" with "current", emphasizing the present validity of the duty.

pre-existing responsibility

Substitutes "duty" with "responsibility" and uses "pre-existing" to highlight that the duty was in place before a specific point in time.

incumbent responsibility

Emphasizes that the duty is tied to a specific role or position one holds.

established obligation

Replaces "existing" with "established", stressing the well-founded nature of the obligation.

present duty

Replaces existing with present, suggesting the current validity of a duty.

operative duty

Highlights that the duty is actively in effect and functional.

active responsibility

Focuses on the ongoing nature and validity of the responsibility.

onus

A shorter, more forceful term for duty or burden.

prevailing duty

Indicates that the duty is the one that is currently in force or most common.

standing obligation

Implies the obligation is consistently in effect and remains valid.

FAQs

How can I use "existing duty" in a sentence?

You can use "existing duty" to refer to a responsibility that is already in place. For example: "The company is fulfilling its "existing duty" to protect customer data."

What phrases are similar to "existing duty"?

Alternatives include "current obligation", "pre-existing responsibility", or "incumbent responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "existing duty" or "pre-existing duty"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "pre-existing duty" emphasizes that the duty was present before a specific event or time. "Existing duty" simply indicates that the duty is currently in effect.

What's the difference between "existing duty" and "legal obligation"?

"Legal obligation" specifically refers to duties mandated by law. An ""existing duty"" can encompass legal obligations but also broader responsibilities, like ethical or moral duties, that are already in place.