whose duty it is to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose duty it is to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to specify the responsibility or obligation of a person or group regarding a particular task or role. Example: "The committee has appointed Sarah, whose duty it is to oversee the project and ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Mark's family believe this is the very least they should expect from those whose duty it is to protect and serve.

The Guardian - Opinion

The formation of the government could depend on president Anibal Cavaco Silva, whose duty it is to name the next prime minister.

The Guardian

In response to the resisters' letter, almost 100 reserve officers and soldiers wrote, "We are ashamed of you as fighters whose duty it is to fight alongside you".

The New York Times

Talk with Bill Allen, a Steuben maintenance man, whose duty it is to keep the pools free of algae with the help of a large underwater vacuum cleaner.

The New Yorker

And what could be more shaming to a big man whose duty it is to kill than to feel his victim's softness, to be forced to register pity or forgiveness?

The New Yorker

The judge wrote: "The court, whose duty it is to secure an individual's liberty from unauthorized and illegal executive confinement, cannot now tell a prisoner that he must beg leave of the executive's grace before the court will involve itself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

As a further safeguard against abuses, Akbar reorganized the existing network of newswriters, whose duty it was to send regular reports of important events to the emperor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I dived, with Jim, whose duty it was to keep an eye on the instruments, shouting that we were going too fast, at 100mph, enough to tear the flaps off.

The Guardian

There are reasons for the suspicion that the killer of Kirov, [Leonid] Nikolayev, was assisted by someone from among the people whose duty it was to protect the person of Kirov.

The Guardian

Instructions were drawn up for provincial governors, and the position of the defensores civitatis, the officials whose duty it was to protect the cities, was strengthened and their jurisdiction widened so that provincials did not need to have the expense of going to the governor's court.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After 1250 the representatives of imperial and episcopal cities were recognized as members of the Diet, and at this time the electoral princes, whose duty it was to elect the emperor, began to meet separately, a division formally confirmed in the Golden Bull of Charles IV (1356), which established the number of the electoral princes as seven.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Make sure the context clearly defines the scope of the duty. For example, specify 'whose duty it is to manage the budget' instead of just 'whose duty it is'.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the duty is inherently understood. Clearly articulate the specific actions or responsibilities that the person or group is expected to perform. Don't leave room for ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose duty it is to" functions as a relative clause, specifically a restrictive relative clause, that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It identifies the person or entity obligated to perform a certain action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

The New Yorker

3%

The Guardian - Books

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose duty it is to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used relative clause for specifying responsibility or obligation. Ludwig AI validates this. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity regarding the scope of the duty is essential. Alternative phrases, such as "who is responsible for", can offer simpler or more direct ways to express the same meaning, while maintaining grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whose responsibility is to

More explicitly states that the responsibility belongs to someone

who is responsible for

Focuses directly on the concept of responsibility, omitting the notion of 'duty'.

who is in charge of

Emphasizes control and oversight rather than obligation.

who is tasked with

Highlights the assignment of a specific task.

who is obligated to

Focuses on the binding nature of the responsibility, suggesting a formal requirement.

who is required to

Highlights the requirement aspect of the duty, and it's used in more formal settings.

who is bound to

Similar to 'obligated', but can also imply a moral or ethical imperative.

who is expected to

Focuses on expectation rather than duty, suggesting a softer obligation.

who is assigned to

Focuses on the allocation of a task or duty. It is appropriate for task assignments.

who has the job of

Highlights the job or task, and it's mostly used in less formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "whose duty it is to" in simpler terms?

You can use alternatives like "who is responsible for", "who is in charge of", or "who is tasked with", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "whose duty it is to" or "who is responsible for"?

"Whose duty it is to" tends to sound slightly more formal, while "who is responsible for" is more neutral and widely applicable.

What is the difference between "whose duty it is to" and "whose responsibility it is to"?

The two phrases are almost interchangeable. "Whose duty it is to" often implies a more formal or official obligation, whereas "whose responsibility it is to" can be broader.

How to use "whose duty it is to" in a sentence?

You can use it to specify the responsibility or obligation of a person or group regarding a particular task or role. Example: "The committee has appointed Sarah, "whose duty it is to" oversee the project and ensure its success."