accept obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

"accept obligation" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is often used to convey that someone is accepting a responsibility or duty, which could be either voluntary or required of them. For example, "John accepted the obligation to serve on the school board for the next two years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A TGC system is introduced as renewable portfolio standards (RPS) or renewable obligations (RO) recognized in the RE Sector where the producers, retailers, consumers and distributors are required to accept obligation of a certain share in the production or consumption of electricity from renewable sources (Aune et al. 2012).

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Anyone who owns a dog accepts – or ought to accept – obligations that are exacting.

The Guardian - Opinion

First, it is the first universal agreement in which all countries, developed as well as developing, accept obligations to manage their greenhouse gas emissions.

Independent

Managers and boards need to accept obligations that go beyond both private morality and their responsibility to stockholders.

Forbes

It may be that bounded solidarity was (and continues to be) needed to motivate people to accept obligations beyond duties of rescue and humanitarian need.

Comparative Migration Studies

Any writer who takes on genocide as his topic accepts obligations that, if not exactly contradictory, are clearly in tension.

The New Yorker

Many shipping companies felt they were benevolent, however, offering certainty on rates to and from European ports and accepting obligations to cover berths.

The New York Times

Central to the argument is the need to adhere to "locally accepted obligations of civility".

Huffington Post

And we are right back to Jim Crow Laws, Sundown Laws, Ugly Laws and Anti-Okie Laws, local laws that profess to "uphold the locally accepted obligations of civility".

Huffington Post

And their mere presence makes us uncomfortable, so therefore they are not civil and need to be replaced with someone more like those of us who set the locally accepted obligations of civility.

Huffington Post

"If families come in, they need to understand and accept their obligation to seek and accept permanent housing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accept obligation", ensure the context clearly defines the source and nature of the obligation. Is it a legal, moral, or ethical obligation? Be precise to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "accept obligation" when the action is purely voluntary and lacks any sense of duty or requirement. Use "choose to", "opt to", or "volunteer to" instead to reflect the voluntary nature of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept obligation" functions as a verb phrase where "accept" is the verb and "obligation" is the noun acting as the object. It denotes the action of willingly or formally taking on a duty, responsibility, or commitment. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "accept obligation" is grammatically correct and expresses the act of willingly taking on a responsibility or duty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not very common, it's most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the nature and source of the obligation is clearly defined. Alternative phrases like "assume responsibility" or "shoulder responsibility" can be used for semantic variation. Understanding its formal tone and appropriate contexts will help in leveraging "accept obligation" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Assume responsibility

This alternative suggests taking on responsibility, implying a deliberate act of acceptance.

Take on duty

This alternative is more straightforward and directly implies assuming a duty.

Embrace duty

This alternative uses a more figurative verb to emphasize a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of a duty.

Take responsibility for

This alternative specifies that you are now in charge of something or someone.

Consent to obligation

This alternative suggests agreement or permission to fulfill an obligation.

Shoulder responsibility

This alternative highlights the burden and importance of the responsibility being accepted.

Acknowledge responsibility

This alternative focuses on recognizing and admitting the existence of a responsibility.

Commit to duty

This alternative highlights a binding pledge to fulfill a specific duty.

Recognize responsibility

This alternative emphasizes the awareness and acceptance of a duty.

Undertake commitment

This alternative formalizes the acceptance, emphasizing a pledge or promise.

FAQs

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

You can use "accept obligation" to indicate the act of taking on a responsibility or duty. For example, "The company had to accept the obligation to clean up the environmental damage".

What can I say instead of "accept obligation"?

You can use alternatives like "assume responsibility", "shoulder responsibility", or "undertake commitment" depending on the context.

Is it more correct to say "accept obligation" or "fulfill obligation"?

"Accept obligation" refers to the act of taking on a duty. "Fulfill obligation" refers to completing or satisfying that duty. They describe different stages in relation to an obligation.

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

"Have an obligation" means that a duty exists for someone. "Accept obligation" means someone is consciously taking on that duty. You might "have an obligation", but still refuse to "accept obligation".