an obligation to listen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an obligation to listen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibilities or duties that require someone to pay attention or heed to information or instructions. Example: "As a team member, you have an obligation to listen to the feedback provided by your peers to improve your performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If you forget to opt out of contact and are plagued by calls, firms have an obligation to listen if you tell them to stop.

Independent

We have an obligation to listen, for example, when a woman from a culture foreign to our own recalls the moment when time stopped for her, when she was among a group of women attacked by soldiers: "They said to us: 'If you have a baby on your back, let us see it.' The soldiers looked at the babies and if it was a boy, they killed it on the spot [by shooting him].

The New York Times

If there is a thesis statement for "Triggering" it may be that through Hannah, Dunham feels an obligation to listen to criticism, because she feels it can be important to her art.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

At eight o'clock on a recent morning, Moore was on his second cup of coffee, preparing for a full day of talking to young Southern Baptist pastors, none of whom would be under any obligation to listen to him.

The New Yorker

The Port Authority can't make a move without his assent, but it has no obligation to listen to the mayor.

The New Yorker

But by writing off the people of Texas who oppose the bill as an "unruly mob," and by painting these women as crazed outlaws who would resort to throwing their necessary feminine products at the Senators to make a point, those in charge have cleverly evaded their obligation to listen to these protestors.

Huffington Post

Several other local towns have demanded a say in the restarts.The government is under no legal obligation to listen to these demands, so long as it has the approval of host communities.

The Economist

Ms. Schaefer said the community school board had been forced to act is if it were playing a chess game, trying to outsmart Mr. Levy, because he had no obligation to listen to it.

The New York Times

Anyway, am I under any ethical obligation to listen to my roommate's shrill complaints?

The New York Times - Magazine

The FCC is under no obligation to listen to the president, and has responded by saying only that "as an independent regulatory agency we will incorporate the President's submission into the record of the Open Internet proceeding".

Independent

"It's our obligation to listen if people want to talk," Mr. Larsen said, noting that six to eight prospective suitors have stepped forward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "an obligation to listen" with alternatives like "a duty to hear" or "a responsibility to heed" for a more nuanced tone or to avoid repetition in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an obligation to listen" vaguely. Always specify who or what the obligation pertains to. Stating "there's an obligation to listen" without context leaves the reader wondering who should be listening and to whom or what.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an obligation to listen" functions as a noun phrase expressing a duty or responsibility to pay attention to something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, supported by examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an obligation to listen" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey a duty or responsibility to pay attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's important to specify who or what the obligation pertains to, ensuring clarity and avoiding vagueness. Consider using alternatives like "a duty to hear" or "a responsibility to heed" to add nuance or avoid repetition. This phrase indicates a moral, ethical, or legal responsibility that often has implications if ignored.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a duty to hear

Replaces "obligation" with "duty" and "listen" with "hear", focusing on the act of perceiving sound or information.

a responsibility to heed

Substitutes "obligation" with "responsibility" and "listen" with "heed", emphasizing the importance of paying attention and considering something.

a need to pay attention

Replaces "obligation to listen" with a more direct statement of needing to focus and observe.

a requirement to consider

Shifts the focus from listening to the broader act of taking something into account and evaluating it.

a moral imperative to understand

Elevates the obligation to a moral level and emphasizes the importance of grasping the meaning.

an ethical duty to acknowledge

Highlights the ethical aspect and replaces "listen" with "acknowledge", implying recognition and acceptance.

a legal requirement to review

Specifies a legal context and substitutes "listen" with "review", suggesting a formal examination of information.

a professional commitment to understand

Frames the obligation within a professional context and focuses on comprehension.

a personal commitment to be receptive

Highlights a personal agreement to open to other ideas or points of view and uses "receptive" instead of "listen".

an expectation to be attentive

Replaces "obligation" with an expected behavior and uses "attentive" instead of "listen".

FAQs

How can I use "an obligation to listen" in a sentence?

You can use "an obligation to listen" to express a duty to pay attention. For example, "The government has "an obligation to listen" to its citizens' concerns."

What can I say instead of "an obligation to listen"?

You can use alternatives like "a duty to hear", "a responsibility to heed", or "a need to pay attention" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "duty" or "obligation" when expressing "an obligation to listen"?

Both "duty" and "obligation" can be used, but "obligation" often implies a formal or moral commitment, while "duty" can also refer to a task or job. Consider the specific context to choose the most fitting word.

How does "an obligation to listen" differ from simply "listening"?

"Listening" is a general action, while ""an obligation to listen"" implies a specific duty or requirement to pay attention, often with associated consequences for failing to do so.