feel obliged

USAGE SUMMARY

'feel obliged' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a sense of duty or responsibility to do something. For example: "I feel obliged to help my neighbor with his grocery shopping errands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She didn't feel obliged.

The New York Times

Modern governments feel obliged to rescue them.

The Economist

Don't feel obliged to clean your plate.

Harvard University

I don't feel obliged to do it.

The Guardian - Books

They don't feel obliged to employ locals.

The Guardian

A dutiful wife may feel obliged to bolster his pretence.

The Economist

Artists of all kinds feel obliged to establish authenticity.

The New Yorker

"I do not feel obliged in my reading.

The New Yorker

The politicians, understandably, feel obliged to so something.

The Economist

In such cases, some doctors feel obliged to hasten death.

The Economist

People feel obliged to ask you how you're doing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel obliged" when you want to convey a sense of moral or ethical duty, or when someone is acting out of social pressure or expectation. For example, "I felt obliged to attend the event, even though I was tired."

Common error

Avoid using "feel obliged" in casual conversation where a simpler expression like "feel like" or "want to" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make you sound overly formal or stiff in everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel obliged" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing a sense of duty, responsibility, or moral imperative. It indicates that the subject experiences an obligation to perform a particular action. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feel obliged" is a common and correct way to express a sense of duty or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence across various contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings. Alternatives like "feel compelled" or "feel duty bound" can be used for nuanced meanings, but "feel obliged" remains a standard choice for conveying a sense of obligation arising from external expectations or internal conviction. Its high usage in news, science, and academia indicates its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be obliged to

A more formal variation, often used in legal or official contexts.

feel duty-bound

Emphasizes a stronger sense of moral or ethical obligation.

feel compelled to

Indicates a strong internal drive or pressure to act.

feel it necessary to

Highlights the perceived need or importance of the action.

feel required to

Indicates an external requirement or expectation to act.

consider it my duty to

Formal expression indicating a sense of responsibility.

feel morally bound to

Specifies that the obligation arises from moral principles.

be under an obligation to

Formal and legalistic way of expressing a requirement.

be beholden to

Suggests a debt of gratitude that necessitates action.

feel inclined to

Suggests a natural tendency or willingness to act.

FAQs

How can I use "feel obliged" in a sentence?

You can use "feel obliged" to express a sense of duty or responsibility. For instance, "I "feel obliged" to help my neighbor because she has always been kind to me."

What does it mean to "feel obliged"?

To "feel obliged" means to experience a sense of moral or ethical compulsion to do something, often due to external expectations or a sense of duty.

What's the difference between "feel obliged" and "feel compelled"?

"Feel obliged" implies a sense of duty or social expectation, while "feel compelled" suggests a stronger, more internal and irresistible urge. "I feel obliged to attend the meeting" versus "I feel compelled to write about this issue."

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "feel obliged"?

Avoid using "feel obliged" in informal settings where a simpler expression like "feel like" or "want to" is more natural. Overusing it can make you sound overly formal.