Cool MateDuty vs Sense of responsibility
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Duty
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Sense of responsibility
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Duty
| Duty | Sense of responsibility | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdjuːti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈduːti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //sɛns ɒv rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti//🇺🇸 //sɛns əv rɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti// |
| Meaning | A responsibility or job that someone must do. | The feeling that you should take care of things. |
| Example | He felt it was his duty to help the less fortunate. | She showed a strong sense of responsibility when she completed the project ahead of schedule. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (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 | develop a sense of responsibility, have a sense of responsibility, sense of responsibility towards others, instill a sense of responsibility, grow a sense of responsibility |
| Antonyms | irresponsibility, neglect | - |
| 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'. | Confused with 'sense of obligation', which implies being forced to act., Often used without context, making the meaning unclear., Incorrectly used as a noun instead of a phrase. |
| 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. | Commonly used in discussions about duty, accountability, and personal ethics. Suitable in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Duty vs Sense of responsibility
What's the difference between Duty and Sense of responsibility?
Duty: A responsibility or job that someone must do. Sense of responsibility: The feeling that you should take care of things.
Which is more common: Duty and Sense of 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. Sense of responsibility: She showed a strong sense of responsibility when she completed the project ahead of schedule.
Can I use Duty and Sense of responsibility interchangeably?
Not always. Duty and Sense of 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.