degrees of obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "degrees of obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to discuss varying levels of responsibility or duty in a particular context, such as ethics, law, or personal commitments. Example: "In ethical discussions, we often analyze the degrees of obligation individuals have towards their community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Each year Zootopia isn't an exhaustive catalog as much as a compromise driven by shifting schedules and varying degrees of obligation.

The New York Times - Arts

Modulation includes degrees of obligation for commands and degrees of inclination in offers, and can be expressed by Finite modal operators or by "an expansion of the Predicator through verbal group complexing" ((Halliday & Matthiessen 2014): 178).

Functional Linguistics

The modality related to propositions is called modalization, and it expresses degrees of probability and degrees of usuality; that related to proposals instead is referred to as modulation, which expresses degrees of obligation in commands and degrees of inclination in offers ((Halliday & Matthiessen 2014): 177-178).

Functional Linguistics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This duty is precedent both in order of time and degree of obligation to the claims of Civil Society.

Cornell University

As James Madison recognized, obligations arising out of religious commitment are "precedent, both in order of time and degree of obligation, to the claims of Civil Society.

The New Yorker

The implicitly subjective modal should was also frequently used, conveying a median degree of obligation: (42) I know that the deadline for submitting is yesterday, but, however, it should be sent to you even late.

Functional Linguistics

6.6 % of obligation modality (Table 7) were subjectively explicit and expressed a strong degree of obligation (refer to Table 8), suggesting a frequency of contact or perhaps an unequal power relationship: (46) As M is preparing a list of things that we need you to hand-carry back to VN for Inst.

Functional Linguistics

Managers also called for a higher degree of obligation to refer patients to the lifestyle test.

BMC Health Services Research

European-American and Mexican-American children did not differ in regard to the degree of obligation to the family.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Managers also mentioned structural dimensions of the implementation, such as the lack of a local plan for action, having overseen the importance of a special person in charge at the unit, and the possibility of adding a certain degree of obligation to the implementation process.

BMC Health Services Research

For example, if the policy assessment yields that an organization might have sufficient resources, a high degree of obligations, and some opportunities to formulate actions on physical activity promotion, but lacks specific goals, scientists could assist such an organization to formulate such goals in order to increase the organizational policy output and outcome.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ethical or moral responsibilities, consider using "degrees of obligation" to nuance the strength or extent of those responsibilities. This can provide a more precise understanding of the commitment involved.

Common error

Avoid using "degrees of obligation" when describing personal preferences or desires. "Obligation" implies a binding duty or responsibility, not merely a choice or inclination.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "degrees of obligation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, quantifying or specifying the extent of duties or responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "degrees of obligation" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing varying levels of duty or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Although relatively rare, it finds its primary context in science, news, and academic settings. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to differentiate between actual duties and personal preferences, ensuring clarity and precision. Exploring alternatives like "levels of responsibility" or "varying commitments" can offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

levels of responsibility

Replaces "degrees" with "levels" focusing on the extent of responsibility.

varying levels of commitment

Substitutes "obligation" with "commitment" to emphasize dedication.

different degrees of duty

Replaces "obligation" with "duty" highlighting moral or legal requirements.

spectrum of responsibilities

Uses "spectrum" to convey a range of responsibilities.

range of commitments

Emphasizes the scope of different commitments one might have.

scale of obligations

Presents obligations as existing on a scale or continuum.

hierarchy of duties

Implies an ordered system of duties from most to least important.

gradation of responsibilities

Focuses on the gradual change or progression in responsibilities.

varying sense of obligation

Highlights the subjective feeling of being obligated to do something.

levels of moral imperative

Replaces obligation with 'moral imperative' specifying moral obligation.

FAQs

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

You can use "degrees of obligation" to describe varying levels of commitment or responsibility, such as, "The project manager outlined the "levels of responsibility" within the team, clarifying each member's degrees of obligation".

What are some alternatives to saying "degrees of obligation"?

Alternatives include "levels of responsibility", "varying commitments", or "different duties" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "degrees of obligation"?

"Degrees of obligation" is appropriate in contexts discussing ethical responsibilities, legal duties, or commitments within a structured environment, such as a workplace or community.

Is there a difference between "degree of obligation" and "sense of obligation"?

Yes, "degree of obligation" refers to the measurable extent of a duty, while "sense of obligation" refers to a subjective feeling or perception of being bound to something. A "varying sense of obligation" might influence how someone perceives their degrees of obligation.