What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
duty
Example
It is my duty as a citizen to vote in the upcoming election. [duty: noun]
Example
The police officer fulfilled his duty to protect and serve the community. [duty: noun]
Example
She felt it was her duty to help her elderly neighbor with grocery shopping. [duty: noun]
task
Example
My boss gave me the task of organizing the company's files. [task: noun]
Example
Writing a research paper can be a challenging task. [task: noun]
Example
I need to finish the task of cleaning the kitchen before dinner. [task: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Task is more commonly used than duty in everyday language. Task is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while duty is more formal and tends to be used in specific situations, such as legal or moral obligations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between duty and task?
Duty is generally considered a more formal word than task. It is often used in legal or professional contexts, while task can be used in both formal and informal situations.