Duty vs. Responsibility

synonyms

In this lesson, we are going to analyze the slight differences and similarities between 'duty' and 'responsibility'. Let's start.

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both refer to someone's actions and tasks. However, 'duty' is more related to moral or legal matters whereas, 'reponsibility' is when someone accepts doing something and has control over it.

Differences

As stated above, 'duty' is used when we want to point out the tasks someone should do. It is mostly related to legal and moral matters like professions, etc. Check out the following examples:

One of her duties is to inform the supervisor when her projects are completed.

It is our duty to rule when Dracula is not present.

'Responsibility', on the other hand, refers to the action someone accepts and is blamed when things go wrong. In other words, that person has power over what he/she is responsible for. Look at the following examples:

But it is my responsibility to care for the child I have given birth to.

It is not really your responsibility to buy me a house, mom.

Similarities

As stated above, both refer to the tasks someone is assigned to do. Study the examples below:

Our main responsibility here is to equip you with the necessary knowledge.

In fact, it is the lawyer's duty to voice his client's rights freely.

Are They Interchangeable?

Most people use these two words interchangeably. Compare:

✓ It is not my duty to love you.

✓ It is not my responsibility to love you.

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