dual obligations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dual obligations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe situations 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 obligations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Civil service

Ethical dilemmas

Legal duties

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

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

Forbes

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

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

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

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional contexts, acknowledge and address "dual obligations" proactively to mitigate potential conflicts of interest.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "dual obligations" are inherently conflicting. Clearly define the nature and scope of each obligation to accurately portray the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dual obligations" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where someone or something has two distinct duties or responsibilities. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dual obligations" effectively describes situations where individuals or entities face two distinct and sometimes conflicting responsibilities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. It is most frequently found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify what those obligations are to avoid ambiguity. Be aware of potential overgeneralizations and acknowledge the specific nature of each obligation. Alternatives such as "conflicting responsibilities" or "competing duties" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dual responsibilities

Direct synonym, using "responsibilities" instead of "obligations".

conflicting responsibilities

Highlights the potential for conflict between the obligations.

competing duties

Emphasizes the competitive nature of fulfilling different duties.

multiple responsibilities

A broader term that doesn't necessarily imply conflict or difficulty.

concurrent duties

Focuses on the simultaneous nature of the obligations.

overlapping responsibilities

Indicates that the responsibilities may share some common ground or create interference.

shared obligations

Suggests that the obligations are distributed among multiple parties.

double duty

An idiomatic expression referring to undertaking two roles or tasks.

twofold commitments

Highlights the commitment aspect of the obligations.

divided loyalties

Focuses on the emotional aspect of having obligations to different parties.

FAQs

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

You can use "dual obligations" to describe situations where someone has two distinct responsibilities. For example, "Civil servants often face "dual obligations" to their ministers and the public".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "conflicting responsibilities", "competing duties", or "multiple responsibilities".

Are "dual obligations" always negative?

Not necessarily. While "dual obligations" can create conflicts, they can also represent a balanced approach to fulfilling different responsibilities.

What is an example of a professional with "dual obligations"?

A doctor working for a sports team has "dual obligations" to the team and to the player's health, which can sometimes conflict. This is similar to a lawyer that has conflicting responsibilities to its client and also to the court of law.