remaining duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remaining duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a task or responsibility that is still left to be completed or fulfilled. Example: "After completing the initial phases of the project, the team focused on their remaining duty to ensure everything was finalized before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But another bogey at the 14th - his 10th of the tournament, to go with the two double bogeys - ensured that his only remaining duty would be to help a new champion into the ceremonial green jacket.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Last week, the retired cardinal was relieved of his remaining duties.

The New York Times

Last year, Patrick and her parents hired I.M.G., the superagency that manages Tiger Woods and the Manning brothers, among others, and Patrick, in a brief, teary telephone call, subsequently relieved her parents of their remaining duties.

The New Yorker

A team of replacement directors including show writer Nic Pizzolatto himself stepped in to divvy up the remaining duties and finish things off without him.

Vice

With the introduction of AA, receptionists found that demand for appointments was greatest early in the morning, which meant that they had a lot more time during the rest of the day, to complete their remaining duties, giving them a greater sense of control over their working day.

BMC Family Practice

National parks - from Yosemite to Alcatraz and the Statue of Liberty - have been shut down with 3,266 essential staff out of 24,645 remaining on duty.

BBC

The officers remain on duty.

The New York Times

For now, about 1,700 of the reservists remain on duty.

The New York Times

One prison guard was cut but remained on duty.

The New York Times

When Lee surrendered at Appomattox after four years of war, only 373 Tigers remained on duty.

The New York Times

As of Wednesday, he added, the officers involved in the incident remained on duty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remaining duty", ensure the context clearly indicates what the original, larger set of duties or obligations was, so the reader understands what portion is being referred to.

Common error

Avoid using "remaining duty" without providing sufficient context about the initial set of duties. Without this context, the phrase can become vague and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remaining duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to the part of an obligation or task that is yet to be completed. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remaining duty" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe tasks or responsibilities that are yet to be completed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English, although it appears relatively infrequently. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for professional or informational content. When using "remaining duty", clarity is key; ensure that the original scope of duties is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "outstanding obligation" or "unfinished task" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding obligation

Focuses on the unfulfilled nature of the duty, emphasizing its obligatory aspect.

unfinished task

Highlights the incomplete nature of the duty, framing it as a task yet to be finalized.

pending responsibility

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the responsibility, suggesting it is waiting to be addressed.

uncompleted assignment

Similar to "unfinished task" but more formal, suitable for professional settings.

outstanding commitment

Stresses the binding aspect of the duty, highlighting the commitment made.

residual obligation

Implies that the duty is a leftover or remaining part of a larger set of obligations.

lingering responsibility

Suggests the responsibility has persisted for some time and still needs attention.

yet-to-be-fulfilled duty

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the unfulfilled nature of the duty.

existing obligation

Highlights the current and active nature of the obligation.

continuing duty

Implies that the duty is ongoing and needs continuous attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "remaining duty" to refer to tasks or responsibilities that still need to be completed. For example, "After the initial phase, the team focused on their "remaining duty" to finalize the project".

What's a good alternative to "remaining duty"?

Alternatives include "outstanding obligation", "unfinished task", or "pending responsibility" depending on the specific context.

Is "remaining duty" formal or informal?

"Remaining duty" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as news reports or professional communications. More informal contexts might benefit from simpler terms like "unfinished business".

What is the difference between "remaining duty" and "continuing duty"?

"Remaining duty" implies that a task or obligation is left over from a previous set of duties, while "continuing duty" suggests that a responsibility is ongoing and needs sustained effort.