preliminary duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preliminary duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an initial responsibility or task that must be completed before moving on to subsequent actions or duties. Example: "Before we can proceed with the project, we need to fulfill our preliminary duty of conducting a thorough risk assessment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Formal settlement talks with the Chinese could begin later in the year, even if Mr. De Gucht did impose the preliminary duties.

The New York Times

And yet, the European commissioner for trade, Karel De Gucht, could still go ahead on June 5 and impose the preliminary duties the next day without any further approvals.

The New York Times

Thailand, the largest exporter of shrimp to the United States, faces average duties of as much as 6percentt, down from a 10.3percentt preliminary tariff proposed in July.

The New York Times

If no negotiated settlement is reached before then, inflexible European Union regulations require a final decision by Dec. 5, in the middle of the Bali talks, on whether to turn preliminary antidumping duties on Chinese solar panels into tariffs that would last for five years — a move that could antagonize China, a major player in the global trade talks.

The New York Times

The subsidy charge has effectively been rejected and the preliminary anti-dumping duties assessed by the Commerce Department average just 5percentt -- a far cry from the 42 percent asked by the plaintiffs, and not nearly enough to send the Chileans packing.

The New York Times

The domestic manufacturers, led by SolarWorld, an Oregon company, welcomed the statement, saying that the department had taken "expedited action against a massive, evasive surge of Chinese solar cell and panel imports ahead of Commerce's first preliminary determination on duties".

The New York Times

Both duties are preliminary, with final determinations expected next March after further discussions with the affected parties.

The New York Times

Once the European Union announces the preliminary level of antidumping duties, then any deal would legally need to take the form of an offer by the Chinese industry, not the Chinese government.

The New York Times - Tech

An American trade panel gave preliminary approval to steep antidumping duties on imports of an industrial color additive from China and India that is used in paints, plastics and printing ink.

The New York Times

As minister of finance (1848 52), he founded the Banque Nationale, abolished the newspaper tax, reduced the postage, and modified the customs duties as a preliminary to a free-trade policy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Community partners are invited to share writing duties, and a preliminary draft is developed by the writing team.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preliminary duty", ensure that it clearly indicates an initial responsibility that sets the stage for subsequent actions or tasks. Providing context will help clarify the importance and purpose of the duty.

Common error

Avoid using "preliminary duty" to describe overarching or ongoing responsibilities. This phrase specifically refers to initial tasks completed before further duties. For broader responsibilities, consider using terms like "main duty" or "core responsibility".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary duty" functions as a noun phrase describing an initial task or responsibility. While Ludwig provides examples where "preliminary" modifies nouns like "duties", "tariff", or "investigation", there are no exact examples of the phrase "preliminary duty" itself, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Encyclopedias

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Wiki

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Academia

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preliminary duty" is a grammatically correct phrase that refers to an initial task or responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates no direct usage examples, and thus, this phrase is categorized as missing in frequency. It is most suitable for neutral to professional contexts and is used to designate a necessary first step in a process. Related phrases include "initial task" and "starting obligation". When using "preliminary duty", ensure it clearly indicates an initial, preparatory responsibility, and avoid using it for broader, ongoing duties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initial task

Focuses on a single, starting task rather than a broader duty.

starting obligation

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the initial action.

introductory responsibility

Highlights the role as an introduction to further responsibilities.

preparatory task

Stresses the task's role in preparing for subsequent actions.

initial undertaking

Implies a more significant or complex initial effort.

first assignment

Indicates a specific task given to someone as the first in a series.

primary obligation

Emphasizes the fundamental and obligatory nature of the initial duty.

early responsibility

Highlights the temporal aspect, focusing on the initial stage of responsibility.

initial function

Focuses on the role or purpose served at the beginning.

launching duty

Implies a duty that initiates or sets something in motion.

FAQs

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

You can use "preliminary duty" to describe an initial task or responsibility that needs to be completed before moving on to subsequent actions. For example, "Conducting a risk assessment is our "preliminary duty" before starting the project".

What's the difference between "preliminary duty" and "primary duty"?

"Preliminary duty" refers to an initial task or responsibility that starts a process, while "primary duty" refers to the main or most important responsibility. They are not interchangeable as "primary duty" suggests a continuing, central role.

What can I say instead of "preliminary duty"?

Alternatives include "initial task", "starting obligation", or "introductory responsibility", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.

Is "preliminary duty" formal or informal?

"Preliminary duty" can be used in both formal and neutral contexts, such as business reports or academic papers. However, in very informal situations, simpler terms like "first task" might be more appropriate.