lay duties

USAGE SUMMARY

"lay duties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to tasks or responsibilities usually assigned to someone. For example, "The trustees were assigned their respective lay duties during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It seems clear that the prohibition against the imposition of any duty of tonnage was due to the desire of the framers to supplement article 1, § 10, cl. 2, denying to the states power to lay duties on imports or exports, see Southern Steamship Co. v. Portwardens, 6 Wall.

Cornell University

That congress may pass laws ex post facto in the district, or order soldiers to be quartered upon us in a time of peace, or make our ports free ports of entry, or lay duties upon our exports, or take away the right of trial by jury, in criminal prosecutions?" Cranch held that More was an Article III judge sitting on an "Tribunal inferior to the supreme Court".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

For instance, the bylaws of a club lay down duties for its officers.

SEP

It appears that the clause, as it originally stood, simply expressed "a power to lay taxes, duties, imposts, and excises," without pointing out the objects; and, of course, leaving them applicable in carrying into effect the other specified powers.

University of Chicago

He has agreed to take over the station permanently whenever his father should lay the duty aside.

The New York Times

But appellant insists that its imposition is prohibited by article 1, § 10, cl. 3, of the Constitution, which provides that 'no State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage,' and that it is a burden on interstate commerce forbidden by the commerce clause (Const. art. 1, § 8, cl. 3).

Cornell University

It is similarly unclear whether beneficence (almsgiving) is a duty or lies beyond duty.

SEP

The law, called "Protection of the Rights and Interests of Elderly People," has nine clauses that lay out the duties of children and their obligation to tend to the "spiritual needs of the elderly".

The New York Times

In his exhortation, the pope sanctioned the new lay ministries and duties described in the canon law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They saw the thing more as a sin than a crime, and probably weren't advised strictly enough as to where their duties lay when an allegation came to them".

The New York Times

Although there is only so much government can ever do to lay down civic duties and how people relate to Britain, there is clearly an appetite for a fresh, workable and inclusive set of principles to make the notion of citizenship more meaningful.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay duties", ensure the context clearly indicates the act of assigning or imposing responsibilities, not merely performing them.

Common error

Avoid using "lay duties" when you mean to describe the performance of duties, as "lay" here implies assigning or imposing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay duties" functions as a verb phrase where "lay" acts as a transitive verb meaning to assign or impose, and "duties" serves as the direct object, referring to the responsibilities being assigned. This is supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lay duties" refers to the act of assigning responsibilities or tasks. Grammatically correct, it's categorized as a verb + noun phrase. While relatively rare, according to Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media, Academic, and Encyclopedia sources. It carries a neutral to formal tone and is used to describe the delegation of tasks or responsibilities. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in conveying the action of assigning, not performing, duties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign responsibilities

Focuses on the act of delegating duties.

impose obligations

Emphasizes the obligatory aspect of duties.

fulfill obligations

Stresses the completion of required duties.

discharge responsibilities

Highlights the performance and completion of duties.

take on assignments

Emphasizes the act of accepting duties.

undertake tasks

Shifts the focus to the specific tasks involved in fulfilling duties.

perform functions

Emphasizes the functional aspect of duties.

shoulder responsibilities

Indicates taking on the burden of duties.

execute assignments

Focuses on the execution of assigned tasks related to duties.

bear burdens

Highlights the challenging nature of some duties.

FAQs

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

You can use "lay duties" to describe the act of assigning responsibilities to someone. For example, "The manager will lay specific duties on each team member".

What is a synonym for "lay duties"?

A synonym for "lay duties" is "assign responsibilities", which also implies delegating tasks or obligations.

Is it correct to say 'lie duties' instead of "lay duties"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct phrase is "lay duties", where "lay" means to assign or impose. "Lie" refers to resting or being situated and is not appropriate in this context.

What's the difference between "lay duties" and "perform duties"?

"Lay duties" means to assign or impose responsibilities, while "perform duties" refers to the act of carrying out those assigned responsibilities.