a large obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a significant responsibility or duty that one is required to fulfill. Example: "Taking care of my elderly parents has become a large obligation that I must manage alongside my job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Governor Cuomo has a larger obligation.

The New York Times

Some Santas say they now feel a larger obligation to speak up in the face of giant, expensive wish lists, an obligation to lower expectations in a way that only Santas (not parents) can get away with.

The New York Times

Or do they have a larger obligation?

Huffington Post

Someone who, despite his party loyalties, understood that he owed a larger obligation to the nation.

Huffington Post

This connects directly with an important economic theory — the theory of "rational expectations," which holds, among other things, that if people in a free society expect to face a large financial obligation in the future, they will act rationally and save to meet that obligation, or at least try to do so.

The New York Times

The run at Polaroid, and the risk now at airlines and other companies, is being made worse by a technical issue that turns lump-sum distributions into a much larger obligation than the companies accounted for when making contributions to their plans.

The New York Times

Actuaries said the board's approach could ultimately force these companies to report a much larger obligation than they now do.

The New York Times

And don't Susan and Dr. Centrifuge, as members of the academic scientific community, have a still larger obligation to disseminate their results?

Science Magazine

While corporate managers frequently incur large obligations in order to acquire businesses at premium prices, most pension plans have very minor flow-of-funds problems.

Forbes

"He's a man who may in the past, many, many years ago, had financial ability, but now he's a man who doesn't and is trying his best to make ends meet with a large number of obligations".

The New York Times

It would, however, represent an important down payment on that larger obligation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a large obligation", ensure the context clearly defines what the obligation entails and why it is considered significant. For instance, specify if it's a financial, moral, or legal obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "a large obligation" without providing sufficient context. Ensure your audience understands the nature and scope of the obligation. Lack of clarity can lead to misinterpretation and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large obligation" functions as a noun phrase, where 'large' modifies 'obligation'. It describes the extent or significance of a duty or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a large obligation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a significant duty or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate across various contexts, although most commonly found in news, scientific, and business-related content. When employing this phrase, it's best to provide context to clarify the nature of the obligation. For example, instead of saying “he had a large obligation”, consider mentioning “He had a large financial obligation” or “a large moral obligation”. Consider alternatives like ""a significant responsibility"" or ""a considerable commitment"" for varied expression. Ensure clarity to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant responsibility

Replaces 'obligation' with 'responsibility' emphasizing the importance of the duty.

a considerable commitment

Substitutes 'obligation' with 'commitment' highlighting the dedication required.

a substantial duty

Uses 'duty' in place of 'obligation', underscoring a moral or legal requirement and 'substantial' to denote the scale.

a major undertaking

Replaces 'obligation' with 'undertaking' focusing on the effort and task involved.

a hefty burden

Substitutes 'obligation' with 'burden' emphasizing the weight and difficulty of the responsibility.

a weighty liability

Replaces 'obligation' with 'liability' highlighting the legal or financial aspect and 'weighty' to denote the scale.

a great imperative

Uses 'imperative' in place of 'obligation', stressing the urgency and necessity.

a demanding task

Substitutes 'obligation' with 'task' focusing on the work that needs to be done, emphasizing the scale with 'demanding'.

an extensive undertaking

Replaces 'obligation' with 'undertaking', emphasizing the scope of the task with 'extensive'.

a sweeping responsibility

Uses 'responsibility' instead of 'obligation', highlighting the breadth of the duty with 'sweeping'.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large obligation" to describe a significant duty or responsibility. For example, "Taking care of my elderly parents has become "a large obligation" that I must manage alongside my job."

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant responsibility", "a considerable commitment", or "a substantial duty", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "large obligation" or "big obligation"?

"Large obligation" is generally considered more formal and appropriate for professional or academic contexts. "Big obligation" is more informal. The best choice depends on your audience and the tone you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a large obligation" and "a major responsibility"?

While similar, ""a large obligation"" often implies a duty that is binding or required, whereas "a major responsibility" can refer to a duty that is important but not necessarily legally or morally binding.