formally obligated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formally obligated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a legal or official requirement to do something. Example: "As a contractor, I am formally obligated to complete the project by the deadline specified in the contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cyprus ratified the WHO FCTC in 2000, thus formally obligating the government of Cyprus to follow the Articles of the WHO FCTC.

BMC Public Health

Of course, such differences do not concern whether moral commands as such formally obligate or not, but whether specific actions are in fact morally commanded.

SEP

The former accounting department employee said that "Buchanan was well aware" of these "fraudulent transactions" as the lenders were obligated to formally notify him, as the dealership owner, in writing.

Huffington Post

Witt and his agent, Mark F. Magazu II, have insisted to The Times and other news organizations that his Rhodes application was never suspended, as The Times reported, and that, in any case, he had decided to withdraw from the competition before he was told, on Nov. 9 or 10, that the allegation had obligated Yale to formally re-endorse him.

The New York Times - Sports

That's because under the rules of the exchange, a patient can go up to three months without paying premiums and still not get their coverage formally dropped by an insurers but the insurer isn't obligated to pay claims incurred during the second and third month if that person isn't paying their premiums for that time, Jackson said.

HuffPost

The move is a major concession by the United States, which under a joint military agreement with Japan is not obligated to hand over American troops suspected in crimes until they are formally charged by Japanese prosecutors.

The New York Times

They're not obligated.

The New York Times - Sports

"I obligated you.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I am obligated to be".

The New York Times

"We don't feel obligated".

The New York Times - Arts

Selig was obligated to respond.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "formally obligated" when you want to emphasize that an obligation is legally or officially binding. This phrase is suitable for formal contexts where clarity and precision are important.

Common error

Avoid using "formally obligated" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly stiff or pretentious in situations where a simpler phrase like "required" or "expected" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formally obligated" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying a subject to indicate they are under a legal, contractual, or officially recognized duty to perform a specific action. Examples show the phrase is used to express a binding requirement.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "formally obligated" signifies a legally or officially binding duty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for formal contexts. While precise and useful, avoid overuse in casual settings where simpler alternatives may suffice. Consider related phrases like "legally bound" or "officially required" to vary your language while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally bound

This alternative emphasizes the legal aspect of the obligation, implying a binding agreement or law.

officially required

This alternative focuses on the official nature of the requirement, suggesting it's mandated by an authority or institution.

contractually obliged

This alternative specifies that the obligation arises from a contractual agreement.

under legal obligation

This phrase highlights the legal basis of the obligation, indicating it's enforceable by law.

mandated by law

This emphasizes the legal mandate, implying a strong and enforceable requirement.

required by regulation

This indicates the obligation is imposed by specific regulations or rules.

officially bound by duty

This alternative expands on 'officially required' adding the concept of duty and its constraints

formally bound by agreement

This indicates that the parties in a formal agreement are under formal obligations

under strict official order

This makes clear there is no path to avoid obligations imposed by an official order

compelled by formal policy

Highlights that the obligations comes from a written formal policy

FAQs

How can I use "formally obligated" in a sentence?

You can use "formally obligated" to indicate a legal or official requirement, such as "As a contractor, I am formally obligated to complete the project by the deadline." Alternatively, consider using "legally bound" or "officially required".

What's the difference between "formally obligated" and "morally obligated"?

"Formally obligated" refers to a legal or official requirement, while "morally obligated" refers to a sense of duty or ethical responsibility. One is enforced by law or official rules, the other by personal ethics.

When is it appropriate to use "formally obligated" instead of "required"?

Use "formally obligated" when you want to emphasize the official or legal nature of the requirement. "Required" is a more general term that can apply to various types of obligations, while "formally obligated" specifies that it is legally binding or officially mandated.

Are there situations where using "formally obligated" is too strong?

Yes, in informal contexts, using "formally obligated" might sound overly formal or stiff. In such cases, consider using simpler alternatives like "expected", "required", or "supposed to".