A1 noun Neutral

duty

/ˈdjuːti/

A duty is something that you must do because it is your job or because it is the right thing to do. In law, it is a legal responsibility that a person or group has to follow.

Examples

3 of 5
1

It is my duty to help my family every day.

It is my duty to help my family every day.

2

The police officer has a legal duty to protect the people.

The police officer has a legal duty to protect the people.

3

I feel it's my duty to tell you that you are wrong.

I feel it's my duty to tell you that you are wrong.

Word Family

Noun
duty
Adverb
dutifully
Adjective
dutiful
Related
dutifulness
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the letters: Do Your Trustworthy Yield (you yield to the law because you are trustworthy).

Quick Quiz

The police officer is ___ duty today and cannot go to the party.

Correct!

The correct answer is: on

Examples

1

It is my duty to help my family every day.

everyday

It is my duty to help my family every day.

2

The police officer has a legal duty to protect the people.

formal

The police officer has a legal duty to protect the people.

3

I feel it's my duty to tell you that you are wrong.

informal

I feel it's my duty to tell you that you are wrong.

4

Each citizen has a duty to follow the laws of the country.

academic

Each citizen has a duty to follow the laws of the country.

5

The manager has a duty to keep the office safe for all workers.

business

The manager has a duty to keep the office safe for all workers.

Word Family

Noun
duty
Adverb
dutifully
Adjective
dutiful
Related
dutifulness

Common Collocations

sense of duty sense of duty
legal duty legal duty
on duty on duty
off duty off duty
call of duty call of duty

Common Phrases

duty calls

duty calls

duty-free

duty-free

beyond the call of duty

beyond the call of duty

Often Confused With

duty vs task

A duty is a general responsibility, while a task is a specific small job.

duty vs right

A duty is something you must do for others; a right is something others must do for you.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'duty' when talking about a moral or legal requirement. It is often followed by the preposition 'to'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Don't say 'make duty'; use 'do your duty' or 'have a duty'. Learners often confuse plural 'duties' with singular 'duty'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the letters: Do Your Trustworthy Yield (you yield to the law because you are trustworthy).

📖

Word Origin

From the Anglo-French word 'dueté', meaning something that is 'due' or owed to someone.

Grammar Patterns

Plural form: duties Commonly used in the pattern: duty to + verb Used with the verb 'do' or 'perform'
🌍

Cultural Context

In many cultures, 'duty' is a very important concept linked to family honor and social order.

Quick Quiz

The police officer is ___ duty today and cannot go to the party.

Correct!

The correct answer is: on

Related Phrases

More law words

justice

A1

Justice is the quality of being fair and reasonable in how people are treated. It also refers to the legal system and the way laws are used to punish people who do wrong.

verdict

A1

A verdict is the official decision made by a jury or judge in a court of law about whether someone is guilty or not guilty. It is also used to describe a person's final opinion or judgment about something after testing or considering it.

trial

A1

A formal process in a court of law to decide if someone is guilty of a crime. It involves a judge, and sometimes a jury, who listen to evidence and witnesses.

hearing

A1

In a legal context, a hearing is a formal meeting where a judge or official listens to facts and arguments about a specific issue. It is typically shorter and less formal than a full trial but follows strict legal rules.

litigation

A1

Litigation is the process of using a court of law to solve a legal disagreement. It involves a judge or jury making a final decision about a dispute between people or companies.

testimony

A1

A formal statement given by a witness in a court of law or a public meeting. It is also used to describe something that serves as clear proof that a fact is true.

witness

A1

A witness is a person who sees an event, such as a crime or an accident, take place. In a legal context, this person provides information or evidence in a court about what they observed.

crime

A1

A crime is an action that is against the law and is punishable by the government. It refers to illegal activities like stealing or hurting someone.

criminal

A1

A person who has committed a crime or done something illegal. This word describes someone who breaks the law and may be punished by the police or a court.

felony

A1

A felony is a very serious crime, such as murder or armed robbery. In legal systems, it is a crime that is punished more severely than a minor offense, often resulting in more than one year in prison.

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