is not obligated

USAGE SUMMARY

'is not obligated' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase often implies that there is no requirement for someone to do something. Example: Although it is customary to bring a gift, the guest is not obligated to do so.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"And the landlord is not obligated to rerent the apartment".

The New York Times

The commission is not obligated to grant the request, however.

The New York Times

"Legally, the government is not obligated," he said.

The New York Times

The judge is not obligated to accept Microsoft's request.

The New York Times

Mr. Buffett is not obligated to sell the railroad stakes.

The New York Times

Because he resigned, the university is not obligated to pay him anything.

The New York Times - Sports

Whomever you invite, your guest is not obligated to give a separate gift to the couple.

The New York Times

She is not obligated to follow the advice of the committee.

The New York Times

"The company is not obligated to continue bargaining," the post said.

The New York Times

The commission is not obligated to act until it receives a formal complaint of anticompetitive behavior.

The New York Times

Maine officials say the state is not obligated to pay anything to get the document back.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not obligated", clearly specify who is not obligated and to whom or what. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the sentence's meaning is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "is not obligated" when a milder expression like "is not expected" would be more appropriate. Overstating the lack of obligation can sometimes sound unnecessarily harsh or dismissive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not obligated" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating a lack of requirement or duty for a subject. Ludwig shows that it is frequently used to clarify the absence of a legal, moral, or contractual requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not obligated" serves to negate a duty or requirement, making it clear that someone is not bound to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that it is most frequently employed in news and media, science, and formal business contexts to clarify responsibilities and expectations. While various synonyms exist, such as "is not required" or "has no duty to", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "is not obligated", ensure clarity regarding who is not obligated and to what, and be mindful of the tone to avoid unintended harshness. As such, understanding its implications allows writers to navigate the complexities of obligations with greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not required

Replaces "obligated" with "required", indicating a lack of necessity.

is not bound

Substitutes "obligated" with "bound", suggesting a lack of legal or moral constraint.

has no duty to

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the absence of a "duty", implying a moral or legal responsibility.

is not under an obligation

Rephrases the sentence to explicitly state the lack of "obligation", providing a more formal tone.

is not compelled

Uses "compelled" instead of "obligated", suggesting a lack of external pressure or force.

is not expected to

Replaces "obligated" with "expected", softening the tone to indicate a lack of anticipation rather than a strict requirement.

is not forced to

Similar to "compelled" but emphasizes the absence of coercion.

is not liable

Focuses on the absence of legal responsibility or accountability.

is at liberty to

Offers a more positive framing, emphasizing freedom of choice rather than absence of duty.

is not beholden to

Suggests a lack of indebtedness or dependence, rather than a strict obligation.

FAQs

How to use "is not obligated" in a sentence?

Use "is not obligated" to indicate that someone has no requirement or duty to do something. For example, "The company "is not obligated" to disclose its financial records to the public".

What can I say instead of "is not obligated"?

You can use alternatives like "is not required", "is not bound", or "has no duty to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is not obligated" or "is not obliged"?

Both "is not obligated" and "is not obliged" are correct and have the same meaning. "Obligated" is more common in American English, while "obliged" is more frequent in British English. The choice depends on your audience and preferred style.

What's the difference between "is not obligated" and "is not allowed"?

"Is not obligated" means there's no requirement, while "is not allowed" means something is prohibited. For example, someone "is not obligated" to attend a meeting if it's optional, but someone "is not allowed" to enter a restricted area.