return to duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'return to duty' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person coming back to their job or task after a period of absence. For example, "After taking time off for medical leave, Tom was ready to return to duty at the factory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I always planned to return to duty".

The New York Times

He has not been approved to return to duty.

The New York Times

He had been due to return to duty in April in the road safety unit.

Independent

The Army threatened a Court Martial on his refusal to return to duty.

The New Yorker

Of those, two out of three did not return to duty.

The New York Times

Thirteen were wounded but were able to return to duty quickly.

The New York Times

He said he is determined to return to duty in Jaffna.

The New York Times

Deputy Chief Galfy said it had not been determined when the officer might return to duty.

The New York Times

She had to bandage the third-degree burn and return to duty.

The New York Times

The flight attendants will return to duty starting March 15, based on seniority.

The New York Times

Why, for instance, is the maimed Tom allowed to return to duty with an artificial hand?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "return to duty" when referring to someone resuming their formal responsibilities, especially in military, police, or similar organizational contexts. It implies a structured and official return.

Common error

Avoid using "return to duty" in casual situations. It sounds overly formal when referring to everyday tasks or returning to a hobby. Use more appropriate phrases like "getting back to work" or "resuming my activities" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "return to duty" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the resumption of one's responsibilities or tasks, particularly within a structured or official environment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "return to duty" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of resuming one's responsibilities, particularly in formal or official settings such as the military, law enforcement, or other structured organizations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and used across various authoritative sources. While versatile, it's best suited for professional or organizational contexts rather than casual situations. Alternatives such as "resume responsibilities" or "return to active service" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The phrase's frequent appearance in news and media, as well as scientific publications, underscores its relevance and applicability in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go back on duty

Slightly less formal but carries the same meaning as "return to duty".

return to active service

Similar to "return to duty" but emphasizes the active engagement aspect.

report back for service

Specifically implies a return to a formal service role, often military.

reassume duties

Similar to 'resume responsibilities' but emphasizes a formal or official nature of the responsibilities.

resume responsibilities

Focuses more broadly on taking up responsibilities again, not specifically military or formal duties.

go back to work

A more general term for returning to employment, regardless of the context.

start back at work

Simple and direct way of expressing the resumption of work.

rejoin the workforce

Focuses on re-entering the general employment sector after an absence.

get back to work

Similar to 'start back at work' but can also imply a sense of urgency or task-oriented focus.

be back on the job

Informal way to say someone is working again, often after illness or leave.

FAQs

What does "return to duty" mean?

The phrase "return to duty" refers to the act of resuming one's responsibilities or tasks, particularly in a formal or official capacity, such as in the military, law enforcement, or other structured organizations.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "return to duty"?

It's appropriate to use "return to duty" when someone is resuming their formal responsibilities, particularly in structured organizations like the military or law enforcement. It is often used after a period of absence, such as leave or recovery from an injury.

What are some alternatives to "return to duty"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "resume responsibilities", "reassume duties", or "return to active service". For more general situations, "go back to work" may be suitable.

Is "return to duty" formal or informal?

"Return to duty" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in professional or organizational contexts. It's less suitable for informal or casual situations.