simple duties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "simple duties" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe tasks that are straightforward and uncomplicated. For example, "Her job involves simple duties like filing and answering phones." Alternative expressions include "basic tasks," "easy responsibilities," and "straightforward jobs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The outside world has two simple duties towards the civil wars of others.

The Guardian - Opinion

He called me and my coworkers his "team" and referred to our simple duties as "the mission".

The New York Times - Magazine

The "girl" is a macaque monkey who worked as a waitress in a real Tokyo restaurant, handing out towels and performing other simple duties for the amusement of the clientele.

The Guardian - Arts

Homer is given simple duties but he still neglects his duties as a safety inspector, simply typing "yes" every time the system prompts him.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They do not see it as a holy war so much as a simple duty.

The New York Times

But their recent designs, while arresting, do not perform the simple duty of most women's clothing — to make the wearer look either pretty or sexy.

The New Yorker

The first justification for the brutally legible pictures of a field of dead soldiers was the simple duty to record. "The camera is the eye of history," Brady is supposed to have said.

The New Yorker

Through the proper system design and development of the PEMFC shunting locomotive, utilization of hydrogen fuel cell in the rail environment with the characteristics of relatively simple duty cycle condition has proven technically feasible.

Journal of Modern Transportation

So, when the great trial came, she was prepared; and what seems to us Divine unselfishness appeared to her but simple duty".

Wikipedia

Commutes to Northern California three days a week may seem excessive to the average Glendale resident, but for Robert Issai it's a simple duty.

Los Angeles Times

During the twenty-five years he occupied the chair of chemistry in St. Andrews he devoted himself to the development of character in the undergraduate quite as much as to the simpler duty of converting him into a chemist.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing job roles or responsibilities, use "simple duties" to clearly communicate that the tasks involved are not complex and require basic skills. This can be helpful in job descriptions or when explaining someone's role to others.

Common error

Avoid using "simple duties" as a catch-all phrase. Instead, consider specifying the exact nature of the tasks to provide a clearer and more informative description. For example, instead of saying "The role involves simple duties", detail the tasks such as "The role involves data entry, filing, and answering phone calls".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simple duties" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "simple" modifies the noun "duties". This signifies tasks or responsibilities that are not complex or demanding. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing job responsibilities and general tasks.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simple duties" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe tasks that are not complex or demanding. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While relatively infrequent in general usage, it is often found in News & Media. For alternatives, consider "basic responsibilities" or "easy tasks" to convey similar meanings. When using this phrase, be specific and avoid overusing it when detailed descriptions are more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncomplicated tasks

Directly replaces 'simple' with 'uncomplicated', maintaining a similar meaning.

basic responsibilities

Replaces 'duties' with 'responsibilities' and 'simple' with 'basic', emphasizing the fundamental nature of the tasks.

easy tasks

Substitutes 'duties' with 'tasks' and 'simple' with 'easy', highlighting the lack of difficulty.

undemanding tasks

Focuses on the lack of pressure or effort required by the tasks.

straightforward tasks

Emphasizes the lack of complexity in the duties, focusing on their direct and uncomplicated nature.

routine responsibilities

Highlights the repetitive and regular nature of the duties, implying a lack of complexity.

light duties

Indicates that the duties are not burdensome or heavy.

elementary duties

Replaces 'simple' with 'elementary' emphasizing the fundamental and introductory nature of the duties.

minor responsibilities

Highlights the relative insignificance or low importance of the duties.

manageable responsibilities

Emphasizes that the duties are within one's capacity to handle without difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "simple duties" in a sentence?

You can use "simple duties" to describe tasks that are easy to perform and don't require specialized knowledge. For example: "Part of her job involves performing "simple duties" such as sorting mail and making coffee."

What are some alternatives to "simple duties"?

Some alternatives to "simple duties" include "basic responsibilities", "easy tasks", and "routine responsibilities". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "simple duties" or "basic tasks"?

Both "simple duties" and "basic tasks" are acceptable. "Simple duties" might imply a slightly more formal or official context, while "basic tasks" is generally more casual. Choose the option that best fits the overall tone of your writing.

What kind of jobs typically involve "simple duties"?

Entry-level positions, administrative roles, and volunteer work often involve performing "simple duties". These might include tasks like data entry, customer service, or general office support.