burden of obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burden of obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibilities or duties that one feels compelled to fulfill. Example: "She felt the burden of obligation weighing heavily on her as she tried to balance her personal life with her work commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Unlike email, a tweet carries no expectation of a reply, and so there's no heavy burden of obligation.

The Guardian - Tech

"The burden of obligation was massive, and then when I came along, he was able to indulge in the fun of raising a child".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

There is also a unilateralist camp that sees a bigger NATO as bringing a new burden of obligations and constraints.

The New York Times

The new prince will have an inheritance not just of wealth and status but also a burden of duty and obligation.

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet The new prince will have an inheritance not just of wealth and status but also a burden of duty and obligation.

The New Yorker

He wrote in 2005: "Exporters should be free to pay legitimate commissions to their agents without the burden of the obligation to provide ECGD with details that are often confidential and commercially sensitive".

The Guardian

We feel the burden of our obligation and remind ourselves regularly that we are volunteers in the struggle.

Huffington Post

But, with respect to the staggering burden of benefit obligations, what got them in trouble isn't what they did wrong; it is what they did right.

The New Yorker

The prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, was taken by surprise on Wednesday when the European Stability Mechanism announced it would not honour an accord to ease the burden of repayment obligations on Greece's debt pile.

The Guardian

The British Association of Social Workers has been orchestrating a campaign against clauses enabling local authorities to remove the "burden" of statutory obligations and establishing a new regulatory body effectively controlled by the secretary of state.

The Guardian

They viewed other men's rejection of a wife inflicted by breast cancer as a failure of the husband to meet the burden of his obligations towards the sick wife and a failure of the sick wife to meet the husband's marital needs.

BMC Women's Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when using this phrase. While it accurately describes the feeling of being burdened by responsibility, it can sometimes sound overly dramatic or negative. Ensure it fits the tone and purpose of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "burden of obligation" in informal settings or when describing minor inconveniences. This phrase is best reserved for situations where the obligation truly feels significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "burden of obligation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a feeling or state of being weighed down by a duty or commitment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "burden of obligation" is a valid and meaningful expression used to describe the feeling of being weighed down by a sense of duty or commitment. While not extremely common, its use is recognized and understood in formal and professional contexts, as supported by Ludwig AI. Consider using alternative phrases like "weight of responsibility" or "sense of duty" to better suit the tone and setting. Be mindful of the potential for overuse in casual contexts, and ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the significance of the obligation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Weight of responsibility

Focuses on the feeling of responsibility as a heavy load, similar to the pressure implied by "burden of obligation".

Sense of duty

Emphasizes the feeling of moral commitment, shifting away from the negative connotation of "burden".

Moral imperative

Highlights the compelling nature of the obligation, suggesting a strong moral reason behind it.

Onerous duty

Highlights the difficult and troublesome nature of the obligation.

Legal duty

Focuses on a duty enforced by law, which differs from a moral or social obligation.

Task of responsibility

Focuses on the task as a responsibility.

Call of duty

Emphasizes the sense of being summoned or compelled to fulfill an obligation, often in a professional or ethical context.

Commitment to fulfill

Stresses the dedication and promise associated with the obligation.

Pressure to comply

Highlights the external forces pushing someone to meet an obligation, differing from an internally felt duty.

Demands of responsibility

Emphasizes the claims and expectations associated with a given responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "burden of obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "burden of obligation" to describe the feeling of being weighed down by a particular responsibility. For instance, "She felt the burden of obligation to care for her aging parents".

What is a good alternative to "burden of obligation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "weight of responsibility", "sense of duty", or "moral imperative".

Is "burden of obligation" a formal or informal phrase?

"Burden of obligation" leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversations, simpler phrases like "feeling responsible" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "burden of obligation" and "burden of responsibility"?

While similar, "burden of obligation" implies a duty or commitment, whereas "burden of responsibility" focuses more on the accountability and potential consequences associated with a task or role.