principal duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main responsibility or task assigned to someone in a professional or organizational context. Example: "The principal duty of the project manager is to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Business

In fact, the children's principal duty is often to support the religious leaders, the report said.

The New York Times

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

We have also changed Monitor's principal duty so that it protects patients, rather than promoting competition.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

"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

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

Jay Lorsch, a Harvard Business School professor who sits on, or advises, several boards, argues that one of the principal duties of the audit committee and its chairman is the management of these delicate relationships.The nominating (or governance) committee also has more sway.

The Economist

Mr. Castro acknowledged that his generation had lagged in preparing young leaders, saying Cuba lacked "a reserve of substitutes with the sufficient maturity and experience to take over the principal duties of the country".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "principal duty" to clearly define the most important responsibility of a role, organization, or individual.

Common error

Avoid diluting the importance of the "principal duty" by listing it alongside minor tasks. Clearly differentiate the primary responsibility from other supporting duties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or direct object, specifying the most important obligation or task. Ludwig AI's examples confirm its use in defining roles and responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "principal duty" is a common noun phrase used to denote the most important responsibility or task. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by differentiating it from secondary responsibilities. Alternative phrases include "main responsibility" and "primary obligation". By understanding its function, purpose, and context, you can effectively use "principal duty" to convey key obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main responsibility

Focuses on the aspect of accountability as the most important duty.

primary obligation

Emphasizes the mandatory nature of the duty.

chief responsibility

Highlights the leading or most important aspect of the duty.

core responsibility

Stresses that the duty is a fundamental and essential element.

central obligation

Highlights that the obligation is a key element.

primary function

Shifts the focus to the operational aspect of the duty.

main task

Simplifies the duty to a specific action or activity.

fundamental role

Underscores the foundational nature of the duty in a broader context.

key responsibility

Focuses on the significance and importance of the duty.

paramount duty

Emphasizes that the duty is supreme and takes precedence over others.

FAQs

How to use "principal duty" in a sentence?

The phrase "principal duty" is used to describe the most important task or responsibility of someone or something. For example: "The "principal duty" of a teacher is to educate students."

What can I say instead of "principal duty"?

You can use alternatives like "main responsibility", "primary obligation", or "chief responsibility" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "principal duty" or "principle duty"?

"Principal duty" is correct. "Principal" refers to the most important thing. "Principle" refers to a basic idea or rule. Therefore, "principal duty" refers to the most important duty.

What's the difference between "principal duty" and "main job"?

While both refer to key aspects of a role, ""principal duty"" emphasizes responsibility and obligation, whereas "main job" focuses on the overall task or activity.