Cool MateDuty vs We have a responsibility
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Duty
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
We have a responsibility
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Duty
| Duty | We have a responsibility | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdjuːti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈduːti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː hæv ə rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪləti//🇺🇸 //wi hæv ə rɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪlɪti// |
| Meaning | A responsibility or job that someone must do. | It is our duty to do something. |
| Example | He felt it was his duty to help the less fortunate. | As citizens, we have a responsibility to vote. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | contractual, legal, statutory, have, owe, carry out, call, under a/the duty, duty of, duty to, a breach of duty, do your duty by somebody, be duty bound to do something, light, onerous, day, have, pull, see, fall to somebody, manager, officer, doctor, off duty, on duty, the execution of your duties, the performance of your duties, light, onerous, day, have, pull, see, fall to somebody, manager, officer, doctor, off duty, on duty, the execution of your duties, the performance of your duties, heavy, high, low, amount, impose, slap on somebody/something, increase, be payable, in duty, duty on | have a duty, take responsibility, share responsibility |
| Antonyms | irresponsibility, neglect | irresponsibility, carelessness |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'dutie', incorrect spelling., Using 'duty' with a subject instead of a verb; 'duty to help' not 'duty help'., Not using it with the correct preposition, often omitting 'to'. | Using 'responsibilities' in place of 'responsibility' when referring to a single obligation., Misplacing emphasis, leading to misunderstanding of the duty., Using 'have' incorrectly, e.g., 'we are responsibility' instead of 'we have a responsibility'. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Often relates to moral or legal responsibilities. Avoid using it in casual conversations where lighter terms like 'task' may fit better. | This phrase is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts when discussing duties or obligations. Avoid slang contexts. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Duty vs We have a responsibility
What's the difference between Duty and We have a responsibility?
Duty: A responsibility or job that someone must do. We have a responsibility: It is our duty to do something.
Which is more common: Duty and We have a responsibility?
Duty is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Duty: He felt it was his duty to help the less fortunate. We have a responsibility: As citizens, we have a responsibility to vote.
Can I use Duty and We have a responsibility interchangeably?
Not always. Duty and We have a responsibility are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.