contractually obligated to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contractually obligated to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a legal requirement or duty that is established through a contract. Example: "The company is contractually obligated to provide health insurance to all full-time employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Players were contractually obligated to sign autographs.

The New York Times - Sports

So you are contractually obligated to be interviewed on television.

Independent

Players are contractually obligated to make appearances during the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Bernard is contractually obligated to hold 16 races this season.

The New York Times

Many people require a mortgage to own their homes, and are contractually obligated to repay it.

The New York Times

Zach is contractually obligated to participate, even though winter screwed him over on this deal.

The New Yorker

He said: "The club was not contractually obligated to pay that money I suppose".

Independent

"I can't see myself pursuing acting strictly outside of what I'm contractually obligated to do".

The Guardian - Film

Miller is contractually obligated to the Pacers, probably until the end of his career.

The New York Times - Sports

"Insurers need to give the money they were contractually obligated to give," he said.

The New York Times - Health

Late Wednesday, the firm filed court papers seeking arbitration, which it says its employee was contractually obligated to engage in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contractually obligated to", ensure the existence of a formal, written agreement to avoid misrepresenting the nature of the obligation. Be prepared to provide evidence of the contract if challenged.

Common error

Avoid using "contractually obligated to" for duties that are merely implied or expected but not explicitly stated in a contract. Stick to describing only those actions or payments that are directly mandated by the contract's terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contractually obligated to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of being bound by the terms of a contract. As shown in Ludwig, it's used to indicate a legal or formal responsibility arising from a contractual agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contractually obligated to" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a binding duty arising from a formal agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and applicability across various contexts, primarily in news, business, and legal domains. When using this phrase, ensure a valid contract exists to support the claim. While alternatives like "legally bound to" and "required by contract to" offer similar meanings, "contractually obligated to" explicitly connects the obligation to a contractual agreement, avoiding ambiguity. Therefore, it's vital that the obligation in question stems directly from a valid contract to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contractually bound to

Rephrases the original, emphasizing the binding nature of the contract. Uses "bound" instead of "obligated".

legally bound to

Emphasizes the legal aspect of the obligation, suggesting a formal legal requirement.

required by contract to

Directly states that the requirement stems from a contractual agreement.

legally required to

Highlights the legal aspect of the requirement, implying that the obligation is enforceable by law.

bound by agreement to

Highlights the binding nature of an agreement, which may be less formal than a contract.

under contractual duty to

Focuses on the duty or responsibility imposed by the contract.

committed by contract to

Emphasizes the commitment made through the contract.

obliged as per the contract to

States the obligation is specifically defined within the contract's terms.

duty-bound by contract to

Highlights the sense of duty that is imposed by the contract.

having a contractual obligation to

Describes the state of having a contractual obligation, rather than the act of being obligated.

FAQs

How can I use "contractually obligated to" in a sentence?

You can use "contractually obligated to" to indicate that a party is legally required to fulfill a specific duty or commitment outlined in a formal agreement. For example, "The company is "contractually obligated to" provide health insurance to its employees".

What's the difference between ""contractually obligated to"" and "legally required to"?

While both phrases indicate a binding obligation, ""contractually obligated to"" specifically refers to obligations arising from a contract. "Legally required to" is broader and can include obligations imposed by statutes, regulations, or other laws.

What are some alternatives to ""contractually obligated to""?

Alternatives include "legally bound to", "required by contract to", or "bound by agreement to", depending on the specific context and the formality of the situation.

When is it appropriate to use ""contractually obligated to""?

Use ""contractually obligated to"" when you want to emphasize that a specific obligation or duty arises directly from the terms of a signed agreement or contract between two or more parties.