it was obliged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was obliged" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "it was obliged to" when indicating a requirement or necessity. Example: "The committee found that it was obliged to follow the new regulations set forth by the government."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Despite its intake, it was obliged to maintain a default Christian tradition.

BBC

In a sign that the crisis was far from over and that investors were still wary of Italy's political paralysis and its huge debt, it was obliged on Friday to pay the highest rate in more than a decade to sell a new bond issue.

The New York Times

King & Spalding had no ethical or moral obligation to take the case, but in having done so, it was obliged to stay with its clients, to resist political pressure from the left that it feared would hurt its business.

The New York Times

As a consequence, it was obliged to drop its controversial incentive plan, known as Leap, or leadership equity acquisition plan.

The Guardian - Business

It was obliged to reduce its public debt drastically in order to qualify for euro membership by the starting date of 1999.

The Economist

Gazprom has said it will shed 100,000 jobs, a quarter of its workforce; and in May it was obliged to commit itself to firm performance criteria.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

There, officials are struggling to cope with the thousands of refugees it is obliged to house based on its economic strength.

The Guardian

One can even argue that it's obliged to.

The Guardian - Tech

It is obliged to pay for any direct "natural resource damages" resulting from the spill.

The New York Times

If it cannot, it is obliged to ask for aid from outside groups or organizations.

The New York Times

If the court is not satisfied with the explanation, it is obliged to order his release.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always follow "obliged" with "to" plus an infinitive verb to clearly express the required action. For example, use "it was obliged to comply" rather than "it was obliged."

Common error

A frequent mistake is omitting the "to" after "obliged", which results in grammatically incorrect sentences. Always remember to include "to" to correctly indicate the action that must be performed. For example, it should be "it was obliged to inform", not "it was obliged inform".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was obliged" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating that a subject was under a duty or compulsion to perform a certain action. However, it is grammatically incomplete without the infinitive "to" and the subsequent verb.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was obliged" appears frequently in various sources, according to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incomplete and technically incorrect without the addition of "to" followed by a verb. It aims to communicate an obligation or necessity. Predominantly used in news and media and encyclopedia contexts, alternatives such as "it was required to" or "it was compelled to" offer similar meanings. Always remember to include "to" to ensure grammatical correctness. Pay close attention to context in order to ensure correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was required to

This alternative suggests a formal requirement or rule that mandated the action.

it was compelled to

This indicates a strong external force or pressure that necessitated the action.

it was necessary to

This conveys that the action was essential or unavoidable under the circumstances.

it was bound to

This implies a legal or moral duty to perform the action.

it was duty-bound to

Emphasizes a strong sense of moral or ethical obligation.

it had to

A simpler, more direct way of expressing obligation or necessity.

it was forced to

Highlights the lack of choice or agency in performing the action.

it was under an obligation to

Formal way to state there was a specific duty or commitment.

it was incumbent upon

Suggests a responsibility or duty that rests specifically on the subject.

it was essential to

Highlights the critical importance of the action.

FAQs

How to correctly use "it was obliged" in a sentence?

The correct form is "it was obliged to" followed by a verb. For example, "it was obliged to inform the authorities" is correct, while "it was obliged inform the authorities" is not.

What is the difference between "it was obliged to" and "it was required to"?

While both phrases indicate a necessity, "it was obliged to" often implies a moral or legal compulsion, while "it was required to" typically suggests a formal rule or regulation was in place. In several contexts they can be interchangeable.

What are some alternatives to "it was obliged to"?

You can use alternatives like "it was compelled to", "it was necessary to", or "it was bound to" depending on the context.

Is "it is obliged" grammatically correct?

Similar to "it was obliged", the correct usage is "it is obliged to" to indicate a present obligation or requirement. For example, "it is obliged to follow the guidelines" is correct.