heightened obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

'heightened obligation' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a greater responsibility that someone or something has to do something or meet certain standards. For example, "The heightened obligation to protect the environment has led to new regulations and policies being implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He called the European court's ruling "historic" and said it "sends the message to European nations that they have a heightened obligation to investigate their complicity and cooperation with the illegal C.I.A. extraordinary rendition program".

The New York Times

To some, Spanish-language radio has a heightened obligation in New York to maintain high standards, both because there are still relatively few stations, and because Spanish speakers tend to rely on radio for information and entertainment more than other groups.

The New York Times

In the case of widespread death or disability caused by a pandemic, this paper contended that an increased threat generates a heightened obligation on the part of HCWs, while also creating a reasonable expectation that those same HCWs will have preferential access to vaccines and treatments.

Emerging Health Threats Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The rules and warnings only heightened the obligation we already felt to maintain confidentiality born out of our respect for the Supreme Court and our desire to protect it," he said.

Huffington Post

Meanwhile, Ono's twin affiliations to opera and to the orchestral repertoire - he has just ended a successful period in Brussels and embarked on one at Lyon - may have heightened his sense of obligation to Mahler.

The Guardian - Music

Second, beside their heightened sense of moral obligation towards shareholders (i.e. this is a demonstration of owner primacy), the case mining companies tended to demonstrate greater sense of moral responsibility towards stakeholders who were geographically and/or relationally closer to their facilities than similar but distant ones.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Children are especially vulnerable as they are likely to be more trusting and less canny than adults, and this heightens the general obligation to be truthful, keep promises and so forth.

Bioethics

Better and more comprehensive counseling of young men and women, starting among preteenagers, can help reduce the number of single mothers, and heightened enforcement of parental-support obligations can ease their financial struggles.

The New York Times

The Sarbanes/Oxley disclosure penalties do not apply to municipalities, but they certainly heightened everyone's awareness of the obligation to make full disclosures.

Forbes

"But the obligation to tell the truth is heightened when one is proposing to start a war as opposed to proposing to put a television spot up".

The New York Times

No more so than in the financial services industry where there exists a heavy compliance obligation and a regulatory environment that is heightened post-financial crisis and scandals such as LIBOR.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heightened obligation" to emphasize a significant increase in responsibility, particularly when existing duties are amplified by new circumstances or information.

Common error

Avoid using "heightened obligation" in casual or informal settings; it's more appropriate for formal, legal, or ethical discussions where precision is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightened obligation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "heightened" modifies the noun "obligation". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates a greater or more significant responsibility. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts requiring careful consideration of duties.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heightened obligation" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that signals a significant increase in responsibility or duty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and notes its use in contexts where a higher standard of conduct is expected. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it's best reserved for situations requiring precise and formal language. Alternatives like "increased responsibility" or "greater duty" may be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid its use in casual settings, ensuring its impact remains reserved for scenarios where it truly underscores an amplified sense of duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased responsibility

Focuses on the expansion of duties rather than the intensity of the obligation.

greater duty

Emphasizes the magnitude of the duty rather than its escalation.

enhanced accountability

Highlights the aspect of being answerable for actions, not just the obligation itself.

stricter requirement

Shifts the focus to a mandatory condition that has become more stringent.

elevated responsibility

Indicates a rise in the level of responsibility, differing slightly in tone.

intensified duty

Highlights the increased intensity of the duty, changing the emphasis.

more pressing obligation

Emphasizes the urgency of the obligation, adding a time-sensitive dimension.

reinforced duty

Suggests a strengthening of an existing duty, slightly different from a new or increased one.

magnified responsibility

Highlights the increased scale or scope of responsibility.

escalated commitment

Implies an increase in the level of dedication or pledge, changing the nature of the obligation.

FAQs

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

You can use "heightened obligation" to describe a situation where a responsibility or duty has become more important or demanding. For instance, "The company's "heightened obligation" to protect customer data followed the security breach".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "heightened obligation"?

Alternatives to "heightened obligation" include "increased responsibility", "greater duty", or "enhanced accountability". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "heightened obligation" formal language?

Yes, "heightened obligation" is a formal phrase best suited for professional, legal, or academic writing. It is not typically used in casual conversation.

In what situations does a "heightened obligation" arise?

A "heightened obligation" often arises when there are increased risks, ethical considerations, or legal requirements. For example, healthcare workers have a "heightened obligation" to protect patient safety during a pandemic.