does not obligate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not obligate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not create a requirement or duty for someone to act in a certain way. Example: "Signing this agreement does not obligate you to participate in the project if you choose not to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Ms. Goard said that Florida law does not obligate her to assist voters in completing a flawed application.

The New York Times

To present one view does not obligate us to present another, especially when the science is so wrong".

The New York Times - Science

Providing printers for you at school does not obligate the school to provide supplies for you at home.

The New York Times - Magazine

Federal law does not obligate him to disclose the precise details of his investments.

The New York Times

Ultimately, by consenting on one occasion also does not obligate persons to consent on any other occasion.

Independent

"The wording is vague in some places, but it definitely does not obligate the Mormons to scour their own archives on an ongoing basis".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Even though you have to pay whatever the franchise number is, it's for this year and it doesn't obligate you beyond.

The New York Times - Sports

United's "contract for carriage," implicit in a ticket purchase, doesn't obligate it even to operate a flight, much less notify passengers of delays.

Forbes

Sorry Jimmy Kimmel: your sad story doesn't obligate me or anybody else to pay for somebody else's health care.

Huffington Post

The plebiscite doesn't obligate MPs to vote in any particular direction on equal marriage, no matter the result it delivers.

Vice

A major state agency, the Urban Development Corporation, financed by a gimmick called "moral obligation bonds" that did not obligate the agency to pay off its debt, was out of cash and facing imminent default.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not obligate" to clearly state the absence of a requirement or legal duty. This is useful in contracts, legal documents, and policy explanations where clarity is essential.

Common error

Avoid using "does not obligate" when you actually mean to discourage an action. "Does not obligate" simply means there's no requirement, whereas "discourages" suggests it's better not to do something, even if it's allowed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not obligate" functions primarily as a verb phrase, used to indicate the absence of a legal, moral, or contractual duty. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in clarifying that a certain action or agreement does not impose a mandatory requirement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not obligate" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the absence of a requirement or duty. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news articles and scientific publications, reflecting its utility in formal and precise communication. The phrase carries a neutral tone, fitting for contexts needing clarity about limitations. While "does not obligate" is suitable for legal documents, contracts, and general explanations where eliminating ambiguity is vital, related phrases such as "is not required to" or "is not bound to" may also be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not required to

Changes the verb to "required", emphasizing a lack of necessity.

is not under an obligation to

A more formal and explicit way of stating the lack of obligation.

is not bound to

Replaces "obligate" with "bound", suggesting a lack of legal or moral constraint.

is not legally required to

Specifies that the lack of obligation is in a legal context.

is not compelled to

Substitutes "obligate" with "compelled", indicating a lack of force or pressure.

is not mandated to

Replaces "obligate" with "mandated", implying a lack of official command.

is not duty-bound to

Emphasizes the absence of a moral obligation or responsibility.

is not forced to

Indicates that there is no external pressure or coercion to act.

is not expected to

Suggests that there is no expectation or anticipation of a particular action.

is not responsible for

Shifts the focus to a lack of responsibility rather than direct obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "does not obligate" in a sentence?

You can use "does not obligate" to indicate that there is no requirement or duty to do something. For example, "Signing up for the newsletter "does not obligate" you to purchase anything."

What's a more formal way to say "does not obligate"?

A more formal alternative to "does not obligate" is "is not under an obligation to". For example, "The company "is not under an obligation to" provide severance pay."

Which is correct, "does not obligate" or "is not obligated"?

"Does not obligate" is used to describe what something (e.g., a contract) does, while "is not obligated" describes the state of a person or entity. For instance, "The contract "does not obligate" them, so they "are not obligated" to participate."

What can I say instead of "does not obligate" to convey a similar meaning?

You can use alternatives like "is not required to", "is not bound to", or "is not compelled to" depending on the context.