impose an obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose an obligation" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used in the context of one person or entity requiring another to fulfill a duty or obligation. For example: The university imposed an obligation on its students to complete an ethics course.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The Register of Members' Financial Interests, in the House of Commons, seems to impose an obligation on members to declare their income.

Independent

"There is no provision that you've shown me that seems to impose an obligation to pay for or represent him," she said.

The New York Times

He said it "would impose an obligation upon the UK to be able to ensure that a British soldier on duty in a market in Kabul, Afghanistan, can enjoy [European] convention rights, even from those Afghans over whom the UK has no control".

The Guardian

Indeed, he said, when Section 5-601 of the General Obligations Law went into effect on July 1 , 1974 the law covered only one- to six-family homes and did not impose an obligation to pay interest on escrow accounts maintained on behalf of co-op corporations.

The New York Times

A. Edward T. Braverman, a Manhattan co-op lawyer, said that while a co-op shareholder has a right under New York law to attend meetings of the shareholders, the law does not impose an obligation on shareholders to do so.

The New York Times

First, it referred to its decision in Schalk and Kopf v Austria, n. 30141/04): Article 12 (right to marry and establish a family) does not impose an obligation to allow homosexual couples to marry, and the Article 8-Article 14 combination cannot show otherwise.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The idea is that obligations constitute an act of imposing an obligation, an obliging.

SEP

The court's decision imposes an obligation on the municipality.

The New York Times

But now Labour is effectively imposing an obligation to promote homosexuality.

The Guardian - Opinion

But his isolation imposed an obligation to be entirely self-created, musically speaking.

The Guardian

Another standard imposes an obligation to make public disclosures of campaign contributions within five days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose an obligation", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what is creating the obligation and the object specifies on whom or what the obligation is being placed for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "impose an obligation" in passive voice without specifying the actor imposing the obligation, as this can lead to confusion about who is responsible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose an obligation" functions as a verbal phrase that describes the action of creating or enforcing a duty or requirement on someone or something. It is commonly used in legal, ethical, and regulatory contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impose an obligation" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of creating or enforcing a duty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, including legal, ethical, and regulatory discussions. It's important to clearly identify who is imposing the obligation and on whom it is being imposed for clarity. Remember to consider formal alternatives such as "establish a duty" for more formal contexts and avoid passive voice ambiguity. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place a responsibility

Focuses more on the general concept of responsibility rather than a specific, binding duty.

establish a duty

Highlights the creation of a duty, which is a slightly broader concept than an obligation.

lay down a requirement

Emphasizes the act of establishing a requirement rather than the resulting obligation.

mandate a responsibility

Implies a formal command or authorization, suggesting a stronger level of enforcement.

set forth a binding agreement

Suggests a formal and legally enforceable contract that creates obligations.

enforce a mandate

Shifts the focus to the enforcement of an existing mandate, rather than its initial imposition.

establish a binding agreement

Similar to 'set forth a binding agreement', it focuses on the creation of an agreement that carries legal weight.

require compliance

Highlights the need for adherence to rules or standards, shifting the emphasis from the obligation itself.

stipulate a condition

Focuses on the specific conditions of an agreement or rule rather than the broader duty created.

prescribe a task

Emphasizes the action or task that is required rather than the general sense of obligation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "impose an obligation" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you can use phrases like "establish a duty", "mandate a responsibility", or "lay down a requirement".

What are some less formal alternatives to "impose an obligation"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "place a responsibility", "require", or "make someone do something" depending on the context.

Is "impose an obligation on" grammatically correct?

Yes, "impose an obligation on" is grammatically correct. It indicates that a duty or requirement is being placed upon a specific person or entity. For example, "The law imposes an obligation on citizens to pay taxes."

What's the difference between "impose an obligation" and "assume an obligation"?

"Impose an obligation" means to create or force a duty on someone, while "assume an obligation" means to voluntarily accept a duty or responsibility.