report for duty

USAGE SUMMARY

"report for duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used to tell someone that it is time for them to show up and start working. For example: "All employees must report for duty at 9:00 am."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Soldiers would report for duty, but would not be paid.

The New York Times

Reservists in northern Israel were ordered to report for duty.

The Guardian

They had to report for duty right after the holiday.

The New York Times

He must report for duty with Surrey this weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

Bradley honored two players who give him their hearts when they report for duty.

The New York Times - Sports

Swift promptly drove up the coast in his silver Honda convertible to report for duty.

The New York Times - Magazine

"All police officers are ordered to report for duty immediately," he said.

The Guardian

In fact, they gave morning radio interviews urging workers to report for duty.

The New York Times

"A short time later, they said 'You've been accepted and please report for duty,' " she said.

The New York Times

The players were on a day off but report for duty on Thursday.

The Guardian - Sport

Those who get messages this week are to report for duty next month.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "report for duty" when emphasizing the obligation or expectation of someone to be present and ready for their assigned tasks, especially in military, emergency services, or formal work settings.

Common error

Avoid using "report for duty" in casual conversations or informal settings where it may sound overly formal or unnatural. Opt for simpler phrases like "be there" or "start work" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "report for duty" functions as an imperative or directive, instructing someone to present themselves at a specific location to begin their assigned tasks or service. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Sports

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "report for duty" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to instruct or expect someone to be present and ready for their assigned tasks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and military settings. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and avoid overuse in informal situations, opting for simpler alternatives when appropriate. Remember to use "report for duty" when emphasizing an obligation or expectation of someone to be present and ready for their assigned tasks. Ludwig's examples also illustrate appropriate usage in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show up for work

Focuses on the act of arriving at the workplace, emphasizing attendance.

clock in

Emphasizes the action of registering one's arrival, often in a time-tracking system.

commence service

Highlights the beginning of a period of service or work, often more formal.

be on deck

Suggests readiness and availability to start a task or duty, often in a nautical context.

present oneself for service

Emphasizes the act of making one's presence known for the purpose of fulfilling a duty.

get to work

Highlights the start of work itself, rather than just the act of arriving.

start one's shift

Focuses on the beginning of a defined work period or shift.

take up one's post

Suggests assuming a designated position or role in readiness for duty.

be at one's station

Emphasizes being in the correct location and ready to perform assigned tasks.

assume duties

Highlights the commencement of responsibilities and tasks.

FAQs

What does "report for duty" mean?

The phrase "report for duty" means to present oneself at a designated place to begin performing one's assigned tasks or service, often in a formal or obligatory context.

What can I say instead of "report for duty"?

You can use alternatives like "show up for work", "clock in", or "get to work" depending on the context.

Is "report for duty" appropriate for informal situations?

While grammatically correct, "report for duty" is generally more suitable for formal or professional settings. In informal situations, consider using phrases like "be there" or "start work".

How is "report for duty" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase is often used as an instruction or expectation, such as "All personnel must report for duty at 0800 hours" or "The soldiers were ordered to "report for duty" immediately".