question of duty

USAGE SUMMARY

"question of duty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an internal moral or ethical dilemma, but can also refer to a sense of obligation or responsibility to fulfill a task or perform an action. For example: John faced a difficult question of duty when he had to decide whether to tell his friend the truth or lie to protect them from hurt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

What the Cuban case is to the question of "duty," the S.E.C.'s suit against the consummately ordinary Steffes family is to the definition of "material".

The New York Times - Magazine

Perhaps nowhere is the question of duty to the country and to the Commander-in-Chief more crucial than in the military — which cannot, after all, be expected to disband after every election.

The New Yorker

But this is not about hope or hopelessness -- it is a question of duty.

Huffington Post

The circumstances surrounding the SARS crisis made it both possible and desirable to explicitly address the question of duty to care.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So where are we on the question of duty-free, quota-free access and "transparent and simple" rules for trade preference programs?

Huffington Post

7 Although current debates focus on questions of duty, and how much personal risk invalidates that commitment, utilitarian aspects of that obligation are not given enough weight in the debate.

Emerging Health Threats Journal

A more restricted version of the claim that we have a right to noninterference regarding suicide holds that suicide is permitted so long as leaving aside questions of duties to others it is rationally chosen.

SEP

On the question of a duty of care, he said: "In my judgment authority does not support such a duty".

The Guardian

But there is also, for those who form the moving parts of our constitutional machinery, a question of the duty one has—and to what, and to whom.

The New Yorker

His justification, that the country was at war and that the national interest required exceptional measures, might just as well have been Nixon's.The other question, of journalists' duty to protect their sources, is of current interest thanks to a trial involving reporters from Time and the New York Times.

The Economist

Each theory takes a position on the question of whether duties towards the health of those outside our borders are matters of "justice" or "charity".

Globalization and Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "question of duty" when you want to emphasize an internal moral conflict or a difficult decision involving responsibility and ethical considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "question of duty" when a simpler term like "responsibility" or "obligation" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "question of duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it introduces a topic centered on moral or ethical considerations. It presents a dilemma or uncertainty related to one's responsibilities or obligations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "question of duty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, typically used to describe an internal moral conflict, ethical dilemma or difficult decision involving responsibility and ethical considerations. Ludwig examples show that it appears in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While it's grammatically correct, simple terms like "responsibility" or "obligation" could be used instead. Alternatives for this phrase are "moral dilemma", "ethical consideration", or "issue of responsibility".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter of obligation

Focuses on the binding nature of the duty rather than framing it as a question.

issue of responsibility

Emphasizes accountability and the burden of responsibility.

moral dilemma

Highlights the ethical conflict inherent in the situation.

ethical consideration

Broadens the scope to include general ethical principles at play.

point of obligation

Stresses a particular instance or moment where duty is relevant.

dilemma of conscience

Shifts the focus to the internal conflict experienced by the individual.

matter of moral imperative

Emphasizes the urgent and compelling nature of the duty.

concern of ethics

Highlights the general ethical standards involved in the "question of duty".

problem of accountability

Focuses on how the "question of duty" impacts accountability.

quandary of obligation

Highlights the difficulty in resolving the obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "question of duty" in a sentence?

You can use "question of duty" to describe a situation where someone is facing a difficult choice involving their responsibilities, such as "The soldier faced a difficult "question of duty" when ordered to carry out an action he felt was morally wrong".

What is a good alternative to "question of duty"?

Alternatives include "moral dilemma", "ethical consideration", or "issue of responsibility" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each focuses on a different aspect of the decision-making process.

Is it appropriate to use "question of duty" in formal writing?

Yes, "question of duty" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing ethical or moral issues. However, ensure it accurately reflects the complexity of the situation and isn't used in place of simpler terms when those would suffice.

What's the difference between "question of duty" and "matter of obligation"?

"Question of duty" implies a dilemma or uncertainty about what one should do, while "matter of obligation" suggests a clear and binding responsibility, even if it's challenging to fulfill.