express obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "express obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a clear or stated requirement or duty that someone is expected to fulfill. Example: "The contract outlines the express obligation of the contractor to complete the work by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Thereupon, Great Britain, which had no concern with Serbia and no express obligation to fight either for Russia or for France but was expressly committed to defend Belgium, on August 4 declared war against Germany.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Responsibility for funding PrEP fell to local authorities since they were under an express obligation to make arrangements for services to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

The Guardian

The proposed new wording (likely to be in force from September 2016), is somewhat more restrictive than that currently in force, as it contemplates an express obligation for the board to amend the relevant officers' compensation for the previous year or the company's management compensation policy for the future.

Harvard University

'Must' sounds authoritarian, and people are choosing to express obligation – or having a duty to do something – in different ways.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In Cheng's translation, instead of expressing obligation, Huineng grants permission to the student by saying 'you can…'.

Functional Linguistics

Early this month, a U.S. bankruptcy court judge ruled that Cabling, as a kye master, had an expressed obligation to collect the monthly deposits and cover the debts of members who had suddenly dropped out.

Los Angeles Times

Ambiguities concern a word form with more than one distinct (exclusive) meaning; for example must which could express either obligation or probability and the addressee then has to adopt one meaning or the other.

Functional Linguistics

But he also expresses an obligation to help the recruits who come unwillingly into his boot camp.

The New York Times - Arts

In Scotland, 16-year-olds will vote on independence next year, while in this survey, only 55% of young people expressed an obligation to vote.

The Guardian

No new theory, however revolutionary, is ever entirely novel and Keynes was more than generous in expressing his obligation to other writers.

The Economist

Some of this expresses the obligation of any good designer to honor an economy of means, to acknowledge that architecture, like governance, is primarily the art of spending other people's money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "express obligation" when you want to emphasize a clearly stated or formally acknowledged duty or responsibility. It conveys a sense of definiteness and intentionality in establishing the obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "express obligation" when the duty or responsibility is merely implied or understood rather than explicitly stated. Use alternative phrasing like "inherent duty" or "understood responsibility" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "express obligation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement of a verb. It denotes a duty or requirement that is explicitly stated, as highlighted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "express obligation" denotes a duty or requirement that is explicitly stated, finding its use primarily in formal contexts such as law, academics, and business. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase. While relatively uncommon, its precise meaning ensures clarity in defining responsibilities. When writing, ensure that you use "express obligation" only when the duty is explicitly stated, and consider alternatives such as "stated obligation" for similar formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

State an obligation

Focuses on the act of stating the obligation rather than the obligation itself.

Articulate a duty

Emphasizes the clear and detailed communication of a responsibility.

Specify a requirement

Highlights the precise nature of the obligation as a defined requirement.

Define a responsibility

Focuses on clearly outlining the scope and nature of the responsibility.

Outline a commitment

Stresses the formal and structured presentation of a binding agreement.

Convey a mandate

Implies a formal and authoritative communication of a required action.

Disclose a liability

Highlights the act of revealing a legal or financial obligation.

Set forth an imperative

Focuses on presenting the obligation as an unavoidable command.

Acknowledge a burden

Implies recognizing the obligation as a responsibility that might be difficult to bear.

Impose a constraint

Highlights the restrictive nature of the obligation, limiting freedom of action.

FAQs

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

You can use "express obligation" to describe a duty or requirement that is explicitly stated or defined. For example, "The contract outlines the "express obligation" of the tenant to maintain the property."

What's the difference between "express obligation" and "implied obligation"?

"Express obligation" refers to a duty that is clearly stated, while "implied obligation" is a duty that is understood but not explicitly stated. One is written, the other is not.

Are there formal alternatives to "express obligation"?

Yes, formal alternatives include "stated obligation", "defined responsibility", or "specified duty". These options maintain a similar level of formality and clarity.

Is it correct to say "express a obligation"?

No, the correct usage is "express obligation" (without the article "a"). "Obligation" is a noun, and in this context, it doesn't require an indefinite article.