term of duty

USAGE SUMMARY

"term of duty" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a period of time that a person is expected to serve or fulfill their responsibilities in a particular role or position. Example: The soldier completed his three-year term of duty and returned home to his family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"Chloe's soldier fiancé is serving a term of duty in Afghanistan when an army official arrives at Alice's door.

Independent

Servicemen returning from their term of duty would land in San Diego and disappear into the hinterland rather than go home, finding refuge in drugs, alcohol or wretched anonymity.

The Guardian - Sport

Struggling with budget cuts, the army, which ruled the country from 1964 to 1985, plans to send 80percentt of its draftees home before their one-year term of duty ends.

The New York Times

"It's disappointing because it would be nice for an England manager to serve their term of duty.

BBC

These federal institutions charge little to no tuition or fees and instead require a minimum term of duty upon graduation.

Forbes

Glad to leave the academy, his plan was to resign his commission after his four-year term of duty.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Just in terms of duty – straightforward duty".

The Guardian

Other courts speak of the limitations in terms of duty; the defendant owes only a certain class of plaintiffs a duty to avoid inflicting emotional harm.

Cornell University

The corps of Green Beret instructors at times will expand to 150, as specialists come and go on short terms of duty.

The New York Times

He defines fatherhood in terms of duty, its successes measurable in PTA meetings and instances of his unimpeachably liberal attitude toward Tirza's social and sexual life.

The New York Times - Books

He had spent part of his boyhood in Angola, and served three terms of duty there, and realised that Portugal's presence in southern Africa, in a reactionary alliance with apartheid South Africa and rebel Rhodesia, was blood down the drain.Melo Antunes's radicalism in Africa helped him to retain the confidence of the most leftist young officers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to military service, consider using "tour of duty" as a more specific and commonly understood alternative to "term of duty".

Common error

Avoid using "term of duty" when referring to general responsibilities; reserve it for instances with a defined start and end date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "term of duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig provides examples in contexts ranging from military service to medical residencies, illustrating its application in defining a specific duration of assigned responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "term of duty" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that refers to a defined period for fulfilling specific responsibilities. As Ludwig indicates, its use spans diverse contexts, including military service, medical professions, and public obligations. While it's more common in News & Media and Scientific articles, alternative expressions such as "period of service" or "tour of duty" may be more appropriate depending on the specific scenario. It's important to note the advice of Ludwig AI, which suggests to reserve it for instances with a defined start and end date.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Period of service

This alternative focuses on the duration of the service provided, highlighting the time spent fulfilling a duty.

Tour of duty

This phrase is commonly used in military contexts to describe a specific assignment in a particular location.

Stint in service

“Stint in service” implies a limited or specific period of time dedicated to a service role.

Assignment duration

“Assignment duration” emphasizes the length of a particular task or assignment.

Mandatory service period

This alternative highlights the compulsory nature and the duration of the service.

Obligation tenure

This suggests the period of time during which an obligation must be fulfilled.

Service commitment

This focuses on the commitment made to serve for a specific time.

Duty cycle

While similar in the use of duty it refers to the fraction of time a component is active and may not apply directly, depending on the context.

Term of enlistment

This phrase is specifically used in military contexts and refers to the period for which someone is enlisted.

Length of obligation

“Length of obligation” refers to the extent of time someone is bound to fulfill a commitment.

FAQs

What does "term of duty" mean?

"Term of duty" refers to a defined period during which someone is expected to fulfill specific obligations or responsibilities, especially in military or public service.

What can I say instead of "term of duty"?

You can use alternatives like "period of service", "tour of duty", or "service commitment" depending on the context.

Is "term of duty" formal or informal?

"Term of duty" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for professional, military, and official contexts. It avoids overly casual language while remaining clear and direct.

How to use "term of duty" in a sentence?

You might say, "The soldier completed his three-year term of duty" or "Graduates of the academy must fulfill a minimum term of duty in public service".