take on duties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on duties" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to beginning work or tasks that are required. For example, "She was excited to take on the duties of her new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"We let nationals take on duties which will be useful for them later, but we make sure wages are no more than 25% higher than locally," Ferrier explains.

The Guardian

For example, in small facilities with only one service provider, that staff member may need to take on duties that span both levels one and two.

Human Resources for Health

Still, he said, "a company cannot take on duties that are those of a government".

The New York Times

In that capacity, he will take on duties for the account of another PepsiCo unit, Frito-Lay International.

The New York Times

It is no secret around Our Lady's that the pastoral associates would like to take on duties that are now the domain of the priests, like performing the sacraments.

The New York Times

She will take on duties as a full faculty member in 2011.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

North Castle takes on duties for the Ice Breakers brand.

The New York Times

Mrs. Clinton has also taken on duties that go beyond her job description.

The New York Times

The issue, he said, is whether the central bank has taken on duties that, according to the German Constitution, rightfully belong to the country and may not be transferred.

The New York Times

In his new role, Mr. Powell takes on duties that had been handled by Joe Duffy, 51, who remains chairman at Duffy, which is based in Minneapolis.

The New York Times

He takes on duties that had been handled by Ron Cappello, who is being promoted to the new position of worldwide president, as well as assuming added duties for overseeing the Americas operations of Enterprise IG.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take on duties", ensure the context clearly specifies what those duties are, either explicitly or implicitly. For example, "She decided to "take on duties" as treasurer of the club", is much clearer than just, "She decided to "take on duties".

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is actually performing the duties. For instance, instead of saying "The duties were taken on", specify who took them on: "The new manager "took on duties" previously handled by the CEO."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on duties" functions as a verb phrase indicating the acceptance or assumption of responsibilities or tasks. It signifies the commencement of handling specific duties, as illustrated in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take on duties" is a versatile and commonly used expression that means to accept or assume responsibilities or tasks. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples demonstrating its application across various contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the specific context and choose alternative phrases like "assume responsibilities" or "undertake tasks" if a more formal or nuanced expression is required. When using "take on duties", clarity regarding the specific responsibilities is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume responsibilities

Focuses more on the general act of taking responsibility.

shoulder responsibilities

Implies bearing a burden or a weight of responsibility.

undertake tasks

Highlights the commencement of specific tasks or projects.

assume a role

Emphasizes the adoption of a particular position or function.

embrace responsibilities

Suggests a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of responsibilities.

accept obligations

Implies acknowledging and agreeing to fulfill certain duties.

step up to the plate

Idiomatic expression indicating readiness to face a challenge or take on responsibility.

take charge

Implies assuming control and direction of a situation or task.

bear the burden

Focuses on handling a difficult or onerous responsibility.

commit to tasks

Highlights dedication and engagement in completing specific assignments.

FAQs

What does it mean to "take on duties"?

To "take on duties" means to accept or assume responsibilities or tasks, often as part of a job or role. It implies starting to handle these responsibilities.

How can I use "take on duties" in a sentence?

You can use "take on duties" in a sentence like: "The new employee will "take on duties" related to customer service", or "As the team leader, she "took on duties" previously managed by her supervisor".

What are some alternatives to "take on duties"?

Some alternatives to "take on duties" include "assume responsibilities", "undertake tasks", or "shoulder responsibilities", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "takes on duties", "took on duties", or "taking on duties"?

Yes, all these forms are grammatically correct and used depending on the tense and context. "Takes on duties" is present tense, "took on duties" is past tense, and "taking on duties" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses or as a gerund.