on duty

USAGE SUMMARY

"on duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe someone performing his or her job or assigned role. For example, "The police officers were on duty all night" or "The night nurse was on duty overnight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The officers remain on duty.

The New York Times

There was only one guard on duty.

The New York Times - Arts

I was on duty".

The New Yorker

You're always on duty".

The New Yorker

doctor on duty, explained.

The New Yorker

We're on duty.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

The sampling and laser-on duty cycles were 46%and62%2%, respectively.

Biomedical Optics Express

But his on-duty look is changing.

The New York Times

Coutchie died while on-duty late Saturday.

Los Angeles Times

On-duty violence is more tolerated than off-duty violence.

Huffington Post

Again, why are on-duty clinics needed?

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on duty" to clearly indicate when someone is actively performing their job or assigned tasks, especially in professional or formal contexts. For example, "The doctor is currently on duty and available for consultations."

Common error

Avoid implying that someone is always "on duty" when they have scheduled breaks or off-hours. Instead, specify the periods when they are actively working. For example, say "The lifeguard is on duty from 9 AM to 5 PM" instead of assuming they are always available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on duty" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the state of being engaged in one's work or assigned task. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on duty" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone who is actively engaged in their work or assigned responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it is frequently used in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "at work" and "in service", offering alternative ways to express the same concept. Remember to use "on duty" to accurately indicate when someone is actively working, and avoid assuming constant availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the job

Highlights the location or context of performing one's duties.

at work

Indicates being present and active in one's workplace.

working

Refers to the general state of performing tasks for employment.

in service

Emphasizes being actively engaged in a role that benefits others or an organization.

at one's post

Suggests being stationed and ready to perform assigned tasks.

in charge

Emphasizes responsibility and authority over a specific area or task.

responsible

Focuses on the accountability and obligation associated with a particular role.

available

Highlights being ready and accessible to perform duties or respond to requests.

active

Indicates a state of being engaged and participating in assigned tasks.

in operation

Emphasizes the functional state of being active and performing duties.

FAQs

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

You can use "on duty" to indicate that someone is currently working or performing their assigned tasks. For example, "The police officer was "on duty" all night" or "The nurse is "on duty" in the emergency room."

What is a synonym for "on duty"?

Some synonyms for "on duty" include "at work", "in service", or "on the job". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "on duty" and "off duty"?

"On duty" means someone is currently working, while "off duty" means they are not working and are free from their job responsibilities. For example, "The firefighters are "on duty" today" versus "The firefighters are "off duty" this weekend".

Is it correct to say "I'm on duty"?

Yes, it is perfectly correct to say "I'm "on duty"" to indicate that you are currently working or responsible for your assigned tasks.