primary duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main responsibility or obligation of a person or role in a specific context. Example: "As a project manager, my primary duty is to ensure that the team meets its deadlines and delivers quality work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The knights' primary duty was to fight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

[w]hose primary duty is..

Cornell University

Isn't that, after all, their primary duty?

The Guardian - Opinion

That, surely, is its primary duty.

The Guardian - Opinion

The assumption that childcare is your primary duty?

The Guardian - Opinion

Preserving public health is a primary duty of the state.

Cornell University

The council's primary duty is to the students".

The New York Times

"Our primary duty is a fiduciary one to the fund".

The New York Times

The primary duty of courts is to get it right".

The New York Times

It was also part of the domestic comfort that was a wife's primary duty.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"(b) The term 'primary duty' is defined at §541.700.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining roles or responsibilities, clearly state the "primary duty" to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The manager oversees the team", specify "The manager's primary duty is to ensure the team meets project goals".

Common error

Avoid assigning multiple "primary duties" to a single role. This can create confusion and dilute accountability. If a role has many responsibilities, identify the most critical one as the "primary duty" and others as secondary or supporting duties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and defines the most important responsibility or obligation associated with a role, position, or entity. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

21%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "primary duty" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the main responsibility or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous examples across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. Its primary function is to define core responsibilities, ensuring clarity and focus. When writing, remember to clearly define the "primary duty" to avoid ambiguity and prevent overlapping responsibilities. By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively incorporate "primary duty" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main responsibility

Focuses on the core obligation, similar to "primary duty" but emphasizes responsibility.

chief responsibility

Indicates the most important responsibility, highlighting its significance.

principal obligation

Emphasizes the binding nature of the duty, suggesting a formal commitment.

core function

Highlights the essential function or purpose, relating to the duty performed.

fundamental task

Focuses on the basic or essential task that must be performed.

key obligation

Highlights the importance of the obligation, indicating its critical nature.

central responsibility

Indicates the focal point of responsibility, emphasizing its centrality.

major duty

Emphasizes the scale or importance of the duty.

foremost responsibility

Highlights the priority of the responsibility, indicating it comes first.

essential function

Focuses on the necessary function or purpose, emphasizing its indispensability.

FAQs

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

You can use "primary duty" to describe the main responsibility of a person or role. For example, "The doctor's "primary duty" is to care for their patients" or "The teacher's "primary duty" is to educate the students".

What is a synonym for "primary duty"?

Synonyms for "primary duty" include "main responsibility", "chief responsibility", or "principal obligation".

Is it correct to say "one of my primary duties"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "one of my primary duties" implies that you have multiple important responsibilities, with the one you are referring to being among the most significant.

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

"Primary duty" refers to the main or most important responsibility, while "secondary duty" refers to a less important or supporting responsibility. A "primary duty" takes precedence over a "secondary duty".