in their duties

USAGE SUMMARY

"in their duties" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's responsibilities or obligations. For example, "The staff members perform well in their duties and are an asset to the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These four police officers failed in their duties to protect people, using their power and influence to terrorize Latinos instead.

Huffington Post

They failed in their duties".

The New York Times

"For 30 years, they've been derelict in their duties".

The New York Times

D&O covers the legal consequences of managers failing in their duties.

The Economist

Both the defense and prosecution in the film, she said, "failed in their duties".

The New York Times

Mr. Teitelbaum and members of the commission deny that they failed in their duties.

The New York Times

In many cases, they are failing in their duties, he says.

The Guardian

· Directors who fail in their duties can be sued by shareholders on behalf of the company.

The Guardian - Business

She accused politicians of playing "ugly Westminster games", suggesting ministers were failing in their duties to protect vulnerable children.

Independent

Our politicians are putting corporate interests above scientific warnings and failing in their duties to the public".

The Guardian

Professional doctors and officers and NCOs charged with the duty to protect the welfare of prisoners failed in their duties".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in their duties" to clearly define the scope of someone's responsibilities, particularly when assessing performance or assigning tasks.

Common error

Do not use "in their duties" when referring to generic responsibilities unrelated to a specific role or job. Specify the context to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in their duties" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, specifying the context or scope of an action or state. It typically indicates the area within which someone's responsibilities lie, as shown in many Ludwig examples where individuals are described as 'failing' or 'succeeding' in this regard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in their duties" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to specify the scope of someone's responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and science. While primarily neutral in register, it effectively clarifies the area within which individuals are expected to perform, often in situations involving evaluation or accountability. When using this phrase, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "in fulfilling their responsibilities" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in fulfilling their responsibilities

Replaces 'duties' with 'responsibilities' and uses a gerund phrase, shifting the focus slightly to the act of fulfilling.

in executing their obligations

Replaces 'duties' with 'obligations', suggesting a more binding commitment.

in performing their tasks

Substitutes 'duties' with 'tasks', which can imply a more specific set of actions.

in carrying out their functions

Uses 'functions' instead of 'duties', implying a role or purpose.

while discharging their responsibilities

Employs 'discharging' for a sense of completion and 'responsibilities' for broader obligations.

in attending to their obligations

Focuses on the act of 'attending to' rather than simply being 'in' their duties.

as part of their roles

Shifts the focus to 'roles' rather than specific 'duties', indicating a broader scope of responsibility.

to meet their responsibilities

Uses the verb 'meet' instead of the preposition 'in', highlighting the act of fulfilling.

to comply with their obligations

Focuses on adherence to 'obligations' and uses 'comply with' to emphasize adherence to rules.

when performing their roles

Highlights the action of 'performing' within the context of assigned roles

FAQs

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

You can use "in their duties" to describe someone fulfilling their responsibilities, such as: "The staff members are diligent "in their duties" and contribute greatly to the company's success."

What's a formal alternative to "in their duties"?

A more formal alternative to "in their duties" is "in fulfilling their responsibilities", which emphasizes the act of fulfilling obligations.

Is it correct to say 'failed in their duties'?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms that "failed in their duties" is a valid and common expression, indicating a failure to meet one's responsibilities.

What's the difference between "in their duties" and "in their job"?

"In their duties" refers to the specific responsibilities associated with a role, while "in their job" refers to the overall scope of employment. "In their duties" is a subset of "in their job".