subordinate duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subordinate duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a duty or responsibility that is secondary or of lesser importance compared to other duties. Example: "In addition to his primary responsibilities, he also has a subordinate duty to assist with training new employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

At that time, such investigations were infrequent enough that they were only subordinate duties for investigators who mostly worked other types of crimes".

Vice

Since they are born under 'the Evil Maxim' that subordinates duty to happiness, they are unable by their own devices to reverse this ranking, and require 'an effect of grace' (Religion, 6.53).

SEP

Steven H. Levin and Jason M. Weinstein contended that Mosby announced "sweeping charges based on faulty evidence," as she subordinated "her duty to do justice as a prosecutor to her role as a politician".

Los Angeles Times

Neither a crusader nor curial politician, Sixtus aimed at the aggrandizement of his family and of the Papal States, subordinating his duties as the church's spiritual head in a manner characteristic of his era.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is a pop idol who disgraced himself in a brawl, a political radical turned businesswoman and a real estate dealer who burns out, his own desires subordinate to crushing family duty.

The Guardian

The condition imposed by the federal law was not satisfied by the enactment by the state of appropriate legislation for the taxation of other moneyed capital, and the commitment to subordinate officers of the duty of determining what constitutes such capital.

Cornell University

It's their duty to subordinate their likes, wishes, preferences to the welfare of the institution".

Forbes

While all concerned might take both promise-keeping and beneficence to be prima facie duties, each subordinate may feel that his or her own claim is more important, and ought to override.

SEP

Carmichael therefore rejects an important aspect of Pufendorf's doctrine on the cultivation of sociability, for the latter argues that the demand "that every man must cultivate and preserve sociability so far as he can" is that to which all our duties are subordinate.

SEP

Delegating and redelegating this dangerous power to subordinates entrusted with duties like those of deputy sheriffs and policemen raises serious procedural due process questions.

Cornell University

They were cited by the military for failing to "provide adequate command of subordinate units," for dereliction of duty, and for failing to command and control the fire and movement of subordinates, Army documents show.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subordinate duty", ensure the context clearly establishes the existence of a primary duty to which it is secondary. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the hierarchical relationship between the responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "subordinate duty" to describe tasks that are actually critical to a project or role. Mislabeling important responsibilities as subordinate can lead to underestimation of their value and potential neglect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subordinate duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a responsibility that is secondary or of lesser importance than a primary duty. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subordinate duty" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a secondary or less important responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, although its usage appears infrequent. Alternative phrases like "secondary responsibility" or "auxiliary task" can be used to convey similar meanings. When using "subordinate duty", it's crucial to establish a clear context and avoid mislabeling critical tasks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Secondary responsibility

Focuses on the level of importance.

Lesser duty

Emphasizes the reduced significance of the obligation.

Auxiliary task

Highlights the supporting role of the task.

Ancillary responsibility

Stresses that the responsibility is supplementary or additional.

Additional duty

Indicates an extra task.

Supplemental obligation

Highlights the supporting nature of the requirement.

Subsequent task

Emphasizes the order of execution of the task.

Marginal responsibility

Indicates the limited impact or importance of the duty.

Minor obligation

Highlights the reduced size or scope of the duty.

Collateral duty

Highlights the extra assignment.

FAQs

How to use "subordinate duty" in a sentence?

You can use "subordinate duty" to describe a task or responsibility that is of lesser importance compared to a primary one. For instance, "In addition to his main project, he has a "subordinate duty" to assist with team training".

What can I say instead of "subordinate duty"?

You can use alternatives like "secondary responsibility", "lesser duty", or "auxiliary task" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the nature of the duty.

Which is correct, "primary duty" or "subordinate duty"?

"Primary duty" and ""subordinate duty"" are both correct, but they describe different levels of importance. "Primary duty" refers to the main responsibility, while "subordinate duty" refers to a secondary or less important one. They are often used together to provide a comprehensive overview of responsibilities.

What's the difference between "collateral duty" and "subordinate duty"?

"Collateral duty" typically refers to a duty that is assigned in addition to one's main responsibilities, often outside of the primary job description. "Subordinate duty", on the other hand, implies a lower level of importance or priority compared to a main duty, regardless of whether it's part of the original job description or not.