principal duties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal duties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main responsibilities or tasks associated with a job or role. Example: "The principal duties of the project manager include overseeing the project timeline and coordinating with team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This worried Gingrich, who felt that Bush was neglecting one of his principal duties — to instruct.

The New Yorker

What, then, does Chapman feel are the principal duties of a pundit?

The Guardian - Sport

"One can understand that, that they want to focus on their own principal duties, which are in war fighting," the official said.

The New York Times

Additionally, any agreement to silence Pelosi could face constitutional hurdles, since one of Pelosi's principal duties as Speaker is to speak.

The New Yorker

Through family connections, she lands a job as an assistant in a brokerage house, where her principal duties amount to little more than fetching coffee and typing.

The New York Times

His principal duties are as Conductor of the Princeton University Orchestra and as Director of the Certificate Program in Music Performance since its inception in 1991.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"Our principal duty is to protect the interest of consumers.

The Guardian - Business

Principal duty, Aide to Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley in Hawaii and Europe.

The New York Times

The principal duty of the constable and marshal was the command of the army.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Her role, though, was hardly intellectual: her principal duty was to read the queen to sleep.

The New York Times - Books

The principal duty of an I Tatti Fellow is to pursue advanced research at I Tatti.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing job roles or responsibilities, use "principal duties" to clearly indicate the most important tasks associated with the position. Be specific about what these duties entail to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid diluting the significance of the "principal duties" by including too many minor or less important tasks. Focus on the core responsibilities that define the role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal duties" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show it defining the main responsibilities within various roles and contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Encyclopedias

6.67%

Less common in

Science

6.67%

Wiki

3.33%

Formal & Business

3.33%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal duties" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term for describing the main responsibilities associated with a particular role or function. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for formal contexts, particularly in academia, news, and professional settings. When using the phrase, ensure you clearly define the core tasks to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "main responsibilities" or "key tasks" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to focus on essential functions and avoid diluting the meaning with secondary tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main responsibilities

Focuses on the concept of responsibility rather than duty, offering a less formal tone.

core responsibilities

Emphasizes the central and most important aspects of the responsibilities.

primary functions

Highlights the operational aspects and purposes of a role.

key tasks

Directly refers to the specific actions that are most important.

chief obligations

Stresses the mandatory nature of the duties, sounding more formal and binding.

essential functions

Highlights the necessity and indispensability of the duties.

major duties

A more straightforward alternative that focuses on the significance of the duties.

fundamental tasks

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the tasks involved.

primary tasks

Alternative with the same semantic context.

main functions

Alternative with the same semantic context.

FAQs

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

You can use "principal duties" to describe the main responsibilities of a job or role. For example, "The "principal duties of a teacher" include lesson planning, classroom management, and student assessment."

What are some alternatives to "principal duties"?

Alternatives include "main responsibilities", "core responsibilities", or "key tasks". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "principal duties" formal or informal?

"Principal duties" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for professional and academic contexts. In more casual settings, "main tasks" or "primary responsibilities" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "principal duties" and "secondary duties"?

"Principal duties" refer to the most important and central tasks of a job or role, while "secondary duties" are less critical and often supportive in nature. Understanding this distinction helps prioritize tasks effectively.