larger obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "larger obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing responsibilities or commitments that are more significant or extensive than others. Example: "While I have personal commitments, I must prioritize my larger obligation to my community service project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Governor Cuomo has a larger obligation.

The New York Times

It would, however, represent an important down payment on that larger obligation.

The New York Times

Actuaries said the board's approach could ultimately force these companies to report a much larger obligation than they now do.

The New York Times

The Lower Manhattan and Port Authority planners understood their obligation in the narrow sense: to serve their clients, forgetting their larger obligation to the people of New York.

The New York Times

Some Santas say they now feel a larger obligation to speak up in the face of giant, expensive wish lists, an obligation to lower expectations in a way that only Santas (not parents) can get away with.

The New York Times

The run at Polaroid, and the risk now at airlines and other companies, is being made worse by a technical issue that turns lump-sum distributions into a much larger obligation than the companies accounted for when making contributions to their plans.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Unlike most children of divorce, those homes were numerous, and their parents' larger obligations to the nation or the Commonwealth were manifold.

The New Yorker

In this week's Newsweek, Fareed Zakaria argues that "in the short term, all the solutions to the current crisis require that governments take on more debts and larger obligations.

Huffington Post

While the French and German banks have the biggest direct exposure to Greek's debt, it is American banks and insurance companies that would have the largest obligations to cover payments to those holding the swaps.

The New York Times

While corporate managers frequently incur large obligations in order to acquire businesses at premium prices, most pension plans have very minor flow-of-funds problems.

Forbes

Such systematic annual reduction increases the safety factor for the lender by imposing a small annual burden rather than a single, large, final obligation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "larger obligation" when you want to emphasize that a particular responsibility outweighs other, smaller ones. It's effective in contexts where prioritization is key.

Common error

Avoid using "larger obligation" when simply referring to a collection of smaller tasks. This phrase implies a singular, overarching responsibility rather than multiple minor ones.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "larger obligation" functions as a noun phrase, where "larger" modifies the noun "obligation". It typically acts as a subject complement or an object within a sentence. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "larger obligation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as validated by Ludwig, employed to denote a significant or overriding duty. While not exceedingly common, it appears primarily in news, scientific, and business contexts. It's best used when emphasizing the priority of one responsibility over others and carries a formal to neutral tone. Related phrases include "greater responsibility" and "broader commitment". Use the phrase "larger obligation" thoughtfully, ensuring it accurately reflects a singular, overarching duty to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater responsibility

Emphasizes the increased level of accountability involved.

increased duty

Focuses on the expanded sense of moral or legal requirement.

broader commitment

Highlights the wider scope of dedication required.

weightier burden

Implies a heavier load of responsibility or difficulty.

more significant responsibility

Highlights the importance and impact of the duty.

expanded role

Focuses on the widening scope of tasks or responsibilities.

major undertaking

Emphasizes the scale and complexity of the task.

primary responsibility

Indicates the most important or central duty.

overriding obligation

Highlights the precedence of this duty over others.

paramount duty

Stresses the supreme importance of the obligation.

FAQs

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

You can use "larger obligation" to describe a primary duty that takes precedence over other responsibilities. For instance: "As a doctor, my "larger obligation" is to protect the health of my patients."

What phrases are similar to "larger obligation"?

Similar phrases include "greater responsibility", "increased duty", or "broader commitment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "larger obligation" or "greater obligation"?

Both "larger obligation" and "greater obligation" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "larger obligation" over a phrase like "big responsibility"?

"Larger obligation" carries a more formal and serious tone than "big responsibility". Use "larger obligation" in professional or academic settings when discussing significant duties.