a common obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a responsibility or duty that is shared among a group of people or entities. Example: "As citizens, we all have a common obligation to protect the environment for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The proposed bill says that "safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity" is a common obligation of all Chinese, including those in Hong Kong.

The Economist

Romania's prime minister, Emil Boc, said Thursday that all European countries had a "common obligation" toward the millions of Roma on the Continent, The Associated Press reported.

The New York Times

Laying out their belief that "peace is a common and irreplaceable good and its defence is a common obligation", the authors are urging "all writers in the world" to join them.

The Guardian - Books

The rule "hinges on the doctrine that general principles of justice require that in the case of a common obligation, the discharge of it by one of the obligors without proportionate payment from the other, gives the latter an advantage to which he is not equitably entitled". George's Radio, Inc., v. Capital Transit Co., 1942, 75 U.S.App.D.C. 187, 189, 126 F.221221, 221.

Harvard University

We need at the G20, or some other appropriate forum, as soon as we can, to raise this issue as a matter of urgent global importance and work on a common charter to be accepted by all nations, and endorsed by the UN, which makes it a common obligation to ensure that throughout our education systems, we're committed to teaching the virtue of religious respect.

BBC

Moreover, giving up the principle that human rights promotion is a common obligation agreed to by all would have been to forfeit the major strength of the global human rights system that has developed over the past 60 years – its universality.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This should be a common global obligation, like action to root out racism or action to protect the environment.

BBC

Our society will no longer have a common destiny; instead it will be based on a juxtaposition of 'minorities' which each have their own rights but no common obligation.

EU Parlament

As he told us: 'Individual faults and frailties are no excuse to give in and no exemption from the common obligation to give of ourselves.' Through his own suffering, Ted Kennedy became more alive to the plight and suffering of others.

The Guardian

And that spirit of patriotism, that sense of mutual regard and common obligation has carried us through times far harder than these.

HuffPost

"How do you keep the good things about this economy and still try to restore some sense of common obligation, some sense of the social compact, some sense that there is a covenant between the working people of America and those who employ them?" he asked rhetorically.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a common obligation" when you want to emphasize a shared responsibility among a group, especially when that responsibility is seen as a duty or requirement.

Common error

Avoid using "a common obligation" interchangeably with phrases that imply a voluntary action. "A common goal" suggests a shared aspiration, whereas "a common obligation" indicates a shared duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common obligation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a duty or responsibility shared among individuals or entities. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a common obligation" is a grammatically sound phrase used to denote a shared duty or responsibility. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and suitable for use in various writing contexts. While it appears across different domains, it is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Academic contexts. Consider using synonyms like "a shared responsibility" or "a mutual duty" to add variety to your writing. When using this phrase, remember to convey the sense of duty that all parties share.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared responsibility

Focuses on the shared aspect of the responsibility, rather than the obligatory nature.

a mutual duty

Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the duty.

a collective responsibility

Highlights the group's role in bearing the responsibility.

a joint responsibility

Indicates that the responsibility is undertaken together.

a universal obligation

Suggests the obligation applies to everyone.

a general duty

Implies a broad, non-specific duty.

a societal duty

Links the duty to the broader society.

a public responsibility

Highlights the responsibility towards the public.

an imperative duty

Stresses the unavoidable nature of the duty.

a moral imperative

Conveys a strong ethical dimension to the obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "a common obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "a common obligation" to describe a shared responsibility among a group. For example, "Protecting the environment is "a common obligation" for all citizens."

What are some alternatives to saying "a common obligation"?

Alternatives include "a shared responsibility", "a mutual duty", or "a collective responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "a common obligation" formal or informal?

"A common obligation" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, often appearing in news articles, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "a common obligation" and "a common goal"?

"A common obligation" implies a shared duty or requirement, while "a common goal" suggests a shared aspiration or objective. The former is about responsibility, the latter about intent.