has been obligated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been obligated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has been required or compelled to do something, often due to a legal or moral duty. Example: "She has been obligated to fulfill her contract obligations despite the challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Congress appropriated $4 billion in 2008 and $2 billion in 2009; all has been obligated.

The New York Times

For nearly two generations, no American has been obligated to join up, and few do.

The New York Times

An additional $7 billion for highway projects has been obligated, and work is expected to begin soon.

The New York Times

A project or unit thereof shall be considered to be substantially completed when sixty percent or more of the estimated construction cost has been obligated for expenditure.

Cornell University

Since he was hired in October 2010, Alderson has been obligated to take a payroll that exceeded $140 million and cut it to about $90 million.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the passion is about drinking water and the rivers, streams and lakes that the state has been obligated to clean up since 1978.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

have been obligated for expenditure.

Cornell University

Then again, Lilly might have been obligated to do so yesterday.

The New York Times - Sports

Without the extra incentives, the tribe would not have been obligated to give Florida any compensation.

The New York Times

But as a communications professional for more than 30 years, I have been obligated at times to understand and promote points of view I do not share.

Princeton University

Had the Giants kept Hamilton on their roster when camp opened, they would have been obligated to pay him his 2000 salary, which is $440,000.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the strength of the obligation. If a weaker term is more appropriate, consider "required" or "expected" instead of "obligated".

Common error

Avoid assuming "has been obligated" means simply "willing". Obligation implies a binding agreement or duty, not just a preference. It's not appropriate to say "He has been obligated to help" if there's no formal agreement, but rather he decided to help by his own means.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been obligated" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something is under a duty or requirement due to an external force. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It describes a state of being bound to fulfill a specific action or commitment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been obligated" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase indicating a state of being bound to a duty or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered correct for use in written English. Its frequency is uncommon, with usage primarily found in news and media, academia and science. When writing with "has been obligated", clarity about the source and scope of the obligation is crucial. Alternatives like "was required to" or "was compelled to" can provide nuances depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was required to

Simple substitution indicating a requirement, less formal than "obligated".

was under an obligation to

More formal and explicit about the existence of an obligation.

was compelled to

Emphasizes the force or pressure behind the requirement.

was contractually obligated to

Specifies that the obligation arises from a contract.

was bound to

Indicates a moral or legal duty.

was duty-bound to

Stronger emphasis on the sense of duty.

had a responsibility to

Focuses on the area of responsibility.

was committed to

Highlights a pre-existing commitment.

was liable to

Implies legal responsibility or potential consequences.

was beholden to

Suggests a debt of gratitude or dependence.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "has been obligated" to do something?

It means they have a legal, moral, or contractual duty to perform a specific action. They are required to do it, and there may be consequences for failing to do so.

What can I say instead of "has been obligated"?

You can use alternatives like "was required to", "was compelled to", or "was bound to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is obligated" or "has been obligated"?

"Has been obligated" implies a past action that created a current obligation. "Is obligated" refers to a current, ongoing obligation. Both are correct depending on the intended meaning.

How does "has been obligated" differ from "should have"?

"Has been obligated" implies a concrete duty, whereas "should have" suggests a moral or advisable action. One has a requirement; the other suggests a recommendation.