he is obliged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is obliged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone is under a moral or legal duty to do something. Example: "He is obliged to fulfill his commitments to the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He is obliged to kill her, but he can't".

The New York Times

He is obliged to go by the ruling.

Independent

But he is obliged under his contract to wear Adidas if he wears sportswear.

The Guardian

He judges the law only because he is obliged to judge a case.

The New York Times

Still, it's a forgivable lapse given the sheer bathos that he is obliged to wade through.

The Guardian - Books

But Bourdain's sensible thoughts can't escape the din he is obliged to generate.

The New Yorker

If they tell him to go to therapy, he is obliged to go.

The New York Times - Sports

He is obliged to devote more and more space to the intricacies of his Internet I.P.O.

The New York Times - Books

While scuttling round to the main entrance, he is obliged to provide a fan with an autograph.

Independent

Now, in a suit, he is obliged to move among politicians struggling to make the Euro zone viable.

The New York Times - Sports

As a Muslim, Mr Holt says he is obliged to grow a beard, but Arkansas prison rules forbid it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required in your writing. "He is obliged" is suitable for formal and professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "he is obliged" when simply expressing a preference or willingness. "Obliged" denotes a duty or requirement, not a desire. For preferences, use phrases like "he is happy to" or "he wants to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is obliged" functions as a descriptor of duty or necessity, indicating that an individual is under a formal or informal requirement to perform a specific action. The Ludwig AI affirms the correctness and usability of this construction. Examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is obliged" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey that someone is under a duty or requirement, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase is commonly seen in news and media, but also appears in scientific, formal, and academic writing. Considering the level of formality of your writing will help determine the best way to use this phrase. Although "he is obliged" is typically used in writing, consider the context in order to not confuse it with preferences. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights the versatility and correctness of this phrase across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is required

Indicates a formal necessity or legal requirement.

he is compelled

Implies a strong, often irresistible force or internal drive.

he is bound

Suggests a moral or contractual obligation.

he is duty-bound

Emphasizes a sense of moral responsibility and commitment.

he is under an obligation

A more formal and explicit expression of being obliged.

he is responsible

Focuses on accountability and the expectation of fulfilling a duty.

he has a responsibility

Similar to "he is responsible" but emphasizes the existence of a duty.

he is morally obligated

Highlights a moral or ethical imperative.

he is expected to

Implies a social or conventional expectation.

it is incumbent upon him

A formal and somewhat archaic way of expressing a duty or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "he is obliged" in a sentence?

Use "he is obliged" to indicate that someone has a duty or requirement to do something, such as, "he is obliged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities".

What can I say instead of "he is obliged"?

You can use alternatives like "he is required", "he is compelled", or "he is bound" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he is obliged" or "he is obligated"?

Both "he is obliged" and "he is obligated" are grammatically correct, but "he is obliged" is more common in British English, while "he is obligated" is more frequent in American English.

What's the difference between "he is obliged to" and "he feels obliged to"?

"He is obliged to" indicates an external obligation (legal, moral, or contractual), whereas "he feels obliged to" suggests an internal sense of duty or moral compulsion, even if no external requirement exists.