accept an obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept an obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of agreeing to take on a responsibility or duty. Example: "Before signing the contract, make sure you are willing to accept an obligation to fulfill the terms outlined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When we use such sources, we accept an obligation not only to convince a reader of their reliability but also to convey what we can learn of their motivation.

The Guardian - Opinion

As the policy states, the use of unidentified sources requires the paper to "accept an obligation not only to convince a reader of their reliability but also to convey what we can learn of their motivation".

The New York Times

In March 2004, management issued a revised policy on anonymous sources that included this stricture: "When we use such sources, we accept an obligation not only to convince a reader of their reliability but also to convey what we can learn of their motivation". Several weeks ago, I asked Williams to look at the first full week of April once again, a year later.

The New York Times

In a civilized and rich country like the United States, it is reasonable for society to accept an obligation to ensure that all residents have affordable access to at least basic health care -- much as we accept the same obligation to assure a reasonable level of housing, education and nutrition.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This requirement would imply a compact between the U.S. government and its citizens: in return for the government's accepting an obligation to devise a market-based system guaranteeing access to care and protecting all families from financial distress due to the cost of an illness, each individual must agree to obtain a minimum level of protection.

Huffington Post

Now that the U.S. has joined the international community in affirming the Declaration, and therefore accepted an obligation to work toward enforcing Article 36 and the many other human rights protections it affords to indigenous peoples, will it continue with its plan to construct walls that dissect indigenous homelands and trample burial grounds?

Huffington Post

In ratifying the Convention or an Optional Protocol, a State accepts an obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights as outlined including adopting or changing laws and policies that are needed to implement the provisions of the agreement.

Unicef

These bonds developed in the United States out of railroad reorganizations, when investors holding defaulted bonds were willing to accept an income obligation in exchange for their own securities because of its bond form; the issuer for his part was less vulnerable to the danger of another bankruptcy because interest on the new income bonds was contingent on earnings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reluctant to accept a blanket obligation, American negotiators wanted to limit the definition of aggression to (unlikely) conventional attacks by land, sea or air.

The Economist

In subsequent negotiations he refused to confirm that China would, as he had suggested, accept a binding international obligation to slow the growth in its emissions.

The Economist

The Wrigleys' solutions to their bison problems, while imperfect, suggested that they accepted a moral obligation to care for them.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accept an obligation", ensure the context clearly defines the specific duty or responsibility being undertaken. Be precise about what the acceptance entails to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "accept an obligation" without specifying what the obligation is. Saying "I accept the obligation" without context leaves the reader wondering what you're agreeing to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept an obligation" functions as a verb phrase indicating agreement or willingness to take on a responsibility or duty. As Ludwig AI explains, it signifies actively embracing a commitment. This is supported by examples where individuals or entities agree to specific responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accept an obligation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies agreeing to take on a responsibility or duty. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to express a commitment, often in formal contexts such as legal agreements or ethical discussions. While the phrase is not extremely frequent, appearing as "Uncommon", it's found in reliable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. When employing "accept an obligation", ensure clarity by specifying the duty being undertaken. Consider alternatives like "assume a duty" or "take on a commitment" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acknowledge a responsibility

Focuses more on recognizing the existence of the responsibility rather than actively agreeing to it.

assume a duty

Implies taking on a responsibility, often with a sense of formality or burden.

shoulder a responsibility

Suggests bearing the weight of the responsibility.

embrace a commitment

Conveys enthusiasm and willingness to fully dedicate oneself to the obligation.

take on a commitment

Suggests a deliberate choice to engage with the responsibility.

enter into an undertaking

A more formal and legalistic way of expressing agreement to fulfill an obligation.

subscribe to a duty

Puts more emphasis on agreement and adherence.

own an accountability

Focuses on accepting responsibility for outcomes.

incur a liability

Legal or financial context, suggesting the assumption of debt or responsibility.

take upon oneself an onus

Highlights the burdensome nature of responsibility assumed.

FAQs

How can I use "accept an obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "accept an obligation" to indicate that someone is willing to take on a responsibility or duty. For example: "By signing this contract, you "accept an obligation" to fulfill its terms."

What are some alternatives to "accept an obligation"?

Alternatives include "assume a duty", "acknowledge a responsibility", or "take on a commitment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "accept an obligation" and "acknowledge an obligation"?

"Accept an obligation" implies a willingness to fulfill a duty, while "acknowledge an obligation" simply recognizes the existence of that duty, without necessarily agreeing to fulfill it.

Is it correct to say "accept to fulfill an obligation"?

While understandable, it's more grammatically sound to say "accept an obligation to fulfill [something]" or "agree to fulfill an obligation". The preposition "to" after "accept" isn't standard usage.