communal obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "communal obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to responsibilities or duties that are shared among members of a community. Example: "In our neighborhood, there is a strong sense of communal obligation to help those in need, especially during difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We justify it by showing how it is a kind of "associative" or "communal" obligation constitutive of a certain kind of community.

SEP

The sense of religious and communal obligation has its fiduciary advantages to Mr. Ranzini.

The New York Times

The cremation dispute goes to the heart of a debate among Muslims in America about what makes someone a Muslim — to some of the critics, the fact that Shafayet Reja listed Islam as his religion on Facebook is enough — and how to reconcile this country's freedom of religion with what some Muslims see as a communal obligation to uphold religious observance.

The New York Times

Millions of us will see them, of course, thanks to that mysterious, lemminglike blend of hope, communal obligation, and cranial vacancy that sends us to any film nowadays, but will we take a seat with the same fizz of expectation that was fostered by the original shows on TV?

The New Yorker

The first understands equal opportunity as a communal obligation, an ideal that can be fulfilled only if individuals have the tools and skills and support to advance themselves; the other holds fast to the mythology of the agricultural age, the American frontier, a nation of self-made, self-reliant men and women.

The New Yorker

Communal obligation, meaning that some Muslims but not all must do it.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

(President Obama's budget speech today wasn't as compact, emotionally, as the surly-bonds speech, or as philosophical as the one he gave after the Giffords shooting. But it was as moving a statement of commitment to communal obligations — to the old and sick and poor — as we've heard from him in a while).

The New Yorker

In economic terms, investment in childcare is increasingly seen in some countries as more cost-effective and more flexible if undertaken by entrepreneurs rather than by the state; rearing young children is seen not as a communal obligation-like education- but as the financial responsibility of parents, who must bear, if not all, then the bulk of the costs.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

When we draw together these two threads--the forgetful wilderness and the life of piety as bound up with communal obligation--we can observe what or who is forgotten along our journeys, the result of either worries and travail--or equally, success and apathy.

Huffington Post

We need to do exactly what Bruce said: stay conscious of our communal obligations and responsibilities.

Huffington Post

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Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "communal obligation", ensure the context clearly defines the community and the specific duty being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "communal obligation" when referring to tasks or duties that are clearly the responsibility of a single individual. This can dilute accountability and create misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "communal obligation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a duty or responsibility that is collectively held by members of a community, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "communal obligation" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase that describes shared duties within a community. Ludwig indicates it's most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While not extremely frequent, its usage is clear and appropriate in formal settings. Remember to use it when you are talking about the responsibility of a group of people. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, referring to responsibilities or duties shared among community members.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collective responsibility

Emphasizes the shared nature of the responsibility, rather than a duty.

shared responsibility

Focuses on the aspect of sharing a burden or task.

community duty

Replaces "obligation" with "duty" for a slightly less formal tone.

communal duty

Interchangeable with "community duty" but perhaps slightly less common.

social responsibility

Broader term encompassing ethical behavior towards society.

civic duty

Specifically related to the responsibilities of a citizen.

group commitment

Highlights the dedication of a group to a shared goal.

mutual obligation

Stresses the reciprocal nature of the obligation among community members.

collective accountability

Focuses on the group being answerable for their actions.

joint obligation

Similar to shared responsibility but with a stronger legal connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "communal obligation" to describe duties that members of a community feel towards each other or the group as a whole. For example, "Participating in neighborhood clean-ups is seen as a "communal obligation" in our town".

What's the difference between "communal obligation" and "social responsibility"?

"Communal obligation" refers specifically to duties within a defined community, whereas "social responsibility" is a broader concept encompassing ethical behavior towards society in general.

What are some alternatives to "communal obligation"?

Alternatives include "collective responsibility", "shared responsibility", or "community duty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "communal obligation" a formal or informal term?

"Communal obligation" is a relatively neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the formal due to the word "obligation".