is not obliged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not obliged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is not required to do something or does not have a duty to fulfill a particular obligation. Example: "The employee is not obliged to work overtime unless it is specified in their contract."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr Hu is not obliged to step aside then.

The Economist

GNM is not obliged to publish any entry.

The Guardian

It is not obliged to but maybe it should.

The New York Times

Between shows, Mr. Williams is not obliged to be funny.

The New York Times

Poetry is not obliged to these communal ties.

The New York Times - Magazine

The EU is not obliged to exploit the loophole in the rules.

The Economist

"She is not obliged to tell me or my crew where she is going.

The New York Times

After all, the EU is not obliged to push the system to the brink.

The Economist

In fact, he is not obliged by law to deport anyone.

The Economist

The conclave is not obliged to be made up of saints".

The Guardian

The prime minister is not obliged to answer, merely to say something.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not obliged", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what lacks the obligation. For instance, "The company is not obliged to disclose every detail of its operations, but must adhere to legal reporting standards."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "is not obliged" implies complete freedom from any related responsibility. Often, even without a direct obligation, ethical or practical considerations still apply.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not obliged" functions as a verb phrase expressing the absence of a legal, moral, or contractual duty or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a wide array of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not obliged" effectively conveys the absence of a duty or requirement, and as Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what lacks the obligation and avoid assuming complete freedom from related responsibilities. Alternatives such as "is not required" or "has no obligation" can be used for variety, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not required

Direct synonym, indicating a lack of necessity.

is not compelled

Indicates a lack of force or obligation to act.

is not bound

Suggests a lack of legal or moral constraint.

has no obligation

Emphasizes the absence of a duty or responsibility.

is not duty-bound

Highlights the absence of a formal or moral duty.

is not mandated

Focuses on the absence of an official command or authorization.

is not forced

Indicates the lack of external pressure or coercion.

is not under any obligation

Stresses the complete absence of any duty.

is not accountable

Highlights the absence of accountability or responsibility.

is at liberty to decline

Emphasizes the freedom to refuse or reject.

FAQs

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

You can use "is not obliged" to indicate that someone or something does not have a duty to perform a specific action. For example, "The company "is not obliged" to offer refunds if the product is damaged by the customer."

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

You can use alternatives like "is not required", "has no obligation", or "is not compelled" depending on the specific context.

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

Both ""is not obliged"" and "is not obligated" are grammatically correct and have the same meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or regional usage.

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

"Is not obliged" means there is no duty or requirement, while "is not allowed" means something is prohibited. For example, someone might not be obliged to help, but they also might not be allowed to interfere.