weight of duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weight of duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the burden or responsibility associated with a particular obligation or task. Example: "The weight of duty pressed heavily on her shoulders as she prepared for the important meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For others, pragmatism and practicality are the way forward – the stiffer their lip, the more chores they load up on, the more the accrued weight of duty will outweigh the pain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They bear down on you with the solemn, ugly weight of duty.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The happiness of carefree summer days disappears behind the gloomy weight of duties and responsibility.

Huffington Post

As Grace looked into my eyes accusingly, I began to feel that heavy weight of moral duty and responsibility on my shoulders.

The Guardian

The weight of civic duty clearly didn't hang too heavily on these jurors' shoulders - the course of justice takes in some doodling along the way.

The Guardian

The reason that each of us has to promote the good of her intimates does not have any weight that counters the weight of our duty to maximize intrinsic value; rather, whatever weight our reason to promote the good of our intimates has, it has derivatively as a means of our fulfilling our fundamental or basic duty to maximize value.

SEP

Solidarity in the cause carried the weight of civic duty.

Huffington Post

Every casting stunt carries the weight of heavy-duty symbolism.

The New York Times

In the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge, neither Rickie Lambert nor Adam Lallana, who moved to Anfield from Southampton in the summer, have made their presence felt, and the weight of goalscoring duties has fallen on Raheem Sterling.

Independent

'A film of the Israelis killing an American in cold blood would have ended the intifada.' The weight of the heavy-duty, US-made military earthmover, its blade down, dragged over her body, crushing the American student deep into the soil.

The Guardian

Long Duration Balloon (LDB) scientific experiments, launched to circumnavigate the south pole over Antarctica, have particular advantages compared to Shuttle or other Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions in terms of cost, weight, scientific "duty factor" and work force development.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "weight of duty" when you want to emphasize the psychological or emotional burden associated with a responsibility, especially one that feels oppressive or difficult to bear.

Common error

Avoid using "weight of duty" for everyday tasks or light responsibilities. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the sense of duty is genuinely heavy or emotionally taxing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weight of duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It expresses the burden or pressure associated with responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "weight of duty" is a noun phrase that effectively communicates the burden associated with significant responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, where it conveys the emotional or psychological impact of obligations. While the phrase carries a sense of formality, you should reserve the phrase for situations where the sense of duty is genuinely heavy or emotionally taxing. Alternatives such as "burden of responsibility" or "pressure of obligation" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burden of responsibility

Emphasizes the onerous aspect of having responsibility.

pressure of obligation

Highlights the stress and coercion associated with obligations.

grave responsibility

Emphasizes the seriousness and importance of the duty.

sense of responsibility

Focuses on the feeling of being accountable.

moral imperative

Implies a strong ethical obligation.

incumbent duty

Highlights the obligatory nature of the task.

demands of the job

Specifically relates to the requirements and pressures of employment.

onerous task

Stresses the difficulty and oppressiveness of the duty.

compelling obligation

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the duty.

stringent requirements

Refers to strict and demanding conditions or needs.

FAQs

How can I use "weight of duty" in a sentence?

You can use "weight of duty" to describe the burden or pressure someone feels due to their responsibilities. For example: "The "burden of responsibility" /s/burden+of+responsibility pressed heavily on her shoulders".

What phrases are similar to "weight of duty"?

Alternatives include "burden of responsibility", "pressure of obligation", or "sense of responsibility", each emphasizing slightly different aspects of the obligation.

Is "weight of duty" formal or informal?

"Weight of duty" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression. It's suitable for both news articles and academic writing, as well as general conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "weight of duty" instead of "responsibility"?

Use "weight of duty" when you want to highlight the emotional or psychological burden associated with a responsibility, rather than simply stating the fact of the responsibility itself. It suggests a heavier, more demanding obligation than just "responsibility".