dual obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dual obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where an individual or entity has two responsibilities or duties to fulfill simultaneously. Example: "As a parent and a full-time employee, I often feel the weight of my dual obligation to provide for my family while also being present for my children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"But a dual obligation is not an excuse for unethical behavior," he said.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The committee will look into the dual obligations Scottish civil servants have to their ministers and the UK civil service as a whole.

The Guardian

"The intersection of club doctors' dual obligations creates significant legal and ethical quandaries that can threaten player health," the report states.

The Washington Post

Steele himself struggled to navigate dual obligations — to his private clients, who were paying him to help Clinton win, and to a sense of public duty born of his previous life.

The Washington Post

The court said agents who work for the same company also have dual obligations, even if they are representing different clients.

Los Angeles Times

Kymlicka doesn't say how we should interpret his conclusion as pertains to present policies of immigration: must we demand that the borders of Western democracies be opened until they honour their duties of international justice?[25] Should we rather underscore their dual moral obligations to fight global poverty and allow in more immigrants?

SEP

The first subtheme included four categories: balancing the dual role, obligations vs. rights of the clients, recognising clients as individuals vs. groups, and building trust with clients.

BMC Public Health

This dual recognition of professional obligations and patients' rights has fostered awareness in the commission's (JCAHO) statements and standards that organizations have an obligation to act to support and respect patients' rights [ 35].

BMC Medical Ethics

(DJN I.6.9; Pufendorf 1994a, p.123) That is, obligation has a dual aspect involving both reason and strength, neither of which can separately give rise to it: the former generates reverence or respect in those who are (or take themselves to be) obligated, and the latter fear.

SEP

There is no dilution of this obligation where one holds dual or multiple directorships, as in a parent-subsidiary context.

Harvard University

Dutton also said that if another country got in and revoked their side of a dual citizenship first, Australia – given its obligations not to render anyone stateless – would have to take that person back.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "dual obligation", ensure the context clearly defines both obligations. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that fulfilling one aspect of a "dual obligation" automatically satisfies the other. Each obligation requires separate and deliberate attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dual obligation" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object in a sentence, describing a situation where someone has two coexisting duties. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing ethical dilemmas and professional responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dual obligation" refers to the state of having two simultaneous duties or responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts such as news, science and academia. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity in defining both obligations to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "twofold duty" or "double responsibility" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Understanding the potential for conflicting interests arising from the "dual obligation" is also essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

twofold duty

Emphasizes the existence of two distinct duties that must be fulfilled.

double responsibility

Highlights the burden of managing two separate responsibilities.

conflicting responsibilities

Focuses on the potential conflict arising from having multiple responsibilities.

divided loyalties

Stresses the emotional aspect of being loyal to two different entities.

concurrent duties

A more formal way of expressing the simultaneous nature of the duties.

dual mandate

Implies a formal requirement to fulfill two distinct objectives.

twin burden

Highlights the challenging aspect of handling two simultaneous obligations.

joint commitment

Suggests a shared or collaborative obligation.

shared responsibility

Indicates that the responsibility is divided among multiple parties.

parallel obligations

Emphasizes that the obligations exist alongside each other.

FAQs

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

You can use "dual obligation" to describe situations where someone has two significant responsibilities to balance. For example: "The doctor faced a "dual obligation" to care for the patient and protect the hospital's interests."

What's a good alternative to "dual obligation"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "twofold duty", "double responsibility", or "conflicting responsibilities".

Is it always negative to have a "dual obligation"?

Not necessarily. While "dual obligation" can imply a conflict of interest or divided loyalties, it can also simply describe the reality of balancing multiple important roles or duties. The connotation depends heavily on context.

How does "dual obligation" differ from "single obligation"?

"Single obligation" refers to a single duty or responsibility. "Dual obligation", on the other hand, implies the existence of two distinct duties that may need to be balanced or prioritized.