external duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "external duty" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that is expected or required of an individual. For example, "John felt overwhelmed with the external duties he had to fulfill in order to complete his degree".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A control structure is proposed, where the main element is temperature control of pre-fractionator side, achieved by a combined manipulation of the side reboiler external duty and recompressed vapour by-pass.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

The report concluded that the best scenario, from BAT's point of view, would be 'a single market without internal customs duty tariffs but with a high external duty tariff on cigarettes.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Countries within a customs union apply the same external duties to products imported from abroad – this is the so-called "common external tariff" in the EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

Townshend, claiming to take literally the colonial distinction between external and internal taxes, imposed external duties on a wide range of necessities, including lead, glass, paint, paper, and tea, the principal domestic beverage.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The players the N.F.L. gets now are in better shape, understand more of the sport's complexities and have more experience dealing with the external duties of their job than those coming out of college just a few years ago, coaches and talent evaluators say.

The New York Times - Sports

working only part time (20% of her working time), because her availability depended on external duties without any link to the present study.

Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology

The starting point was Prussia's abolition of all internal duties and its adoption of an external tariff in 1818.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The council and its American counterpart, the Business Roundtable, are considering the merits of a North American customs union, with a common external tariff, and the elimination of antidumping and countervailing-duty laws between the countries.

The New York Times

At the beginning of 1948 most import duties within the Benelux area were abolished, and a common external tariff was put into operation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A compact heat exchanger was placed between the two catalytic stages, in order to assure an appropriate thermal integration, thus avoiding any other external heat duties.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

Previous colonial taxes had been levied by local authorities or had been "external" import duties whose primary aim could be viewed as regulating trade for the benefit of the empire as a whole rather than raising revenue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "external duty", ensure the context clearly defines what is considered internal versus external to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify if you're referring to duties outside a company, department, or individual's core responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "external duty" when simply referring to extra tasks. "External duty" implies a specific separation or origin of the duty, not just an added responsibility. If it's just extra work, phrases like "additional tasks" or "supplementary duties" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "external duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It refers to a responsibility or task that originates from an external source, outside of one's primary role or internal commitments. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "external duty" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe responsibilities originating from outside a primary role or internal commitments. While relatively rare, as noted by Ludwig, its presence in diverse contexts—including science, news and media, and encyclopedias—indicates versatility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. When using "external duty", ensure clarity by explicitly defining the boundaries between internal and external to avoid ambiguity. Remember that it implies a specific separation of origin, not simply an additional task. Consider synonyms such as "external responsibility" or "outside commitment" based on the nuanced context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

external obligation

Focuses on the compulsory nature of the task.

external responsibility

Highlights the accountability associated with the task.

outside responsibility

Similar to "external responsibility" but uses "outside" instead of "external".

outside commitment

Emphasizes the time and energy required for duties outside of one's primary role.

external task

A more general term referring to any task performed externally.

external assignment

Focuses on the assigned nature of the duty.

extrinsic obligation

Replaces "external" with a synonym, focusing on duties originating from outside.

external function

Emphasizes the role or purpose that the duty serves.

non-primary duty

Highlights that the duty is not the main or core task.

secondary obligation

Implies that the duty is of lesser importance compared to other duties.

FAQs

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

You can use "external duty" to describe responsibilities that are not part of someone's primary job or role. For example, "Volunteering was an important "external duty" for the employees of the company".

What's the difference between "external duty" and "external obligation"?

"External duty" generally refers to a task or responsibility. "External obligation" often implies a legal or moral requirement coming from an outside source.

What can I say instead of "external duty"?

You can use alternatives like "external responsibility", "outside commitment", or "non-primary duty" depending on the context.

Is "external duty" formal or informal language?

"External duty" is generally considered neutral to formal language, suitable for business, academic, or professional contexts. More informal alternatives exist, but this phrase is widely acceptable.