legally obligated

USAGE SUMMARY

"legally obligated" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a duty that a person is required to fulfill by law. For example, "The company was legally obligated to protect the workers' personal information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You're not legally obligated to presume innocence".

The New Yorker

It's legally obligated to do so.

The New York Times

BP is legally obligated to pay these claims.

The New York Times

Gun makers are not legally obligated to monitor their distributors.

The New York Times

"Sewage treatment plants are legally obligated to treat, not dilute, the waste".

The New York Times

But employers note they are not legally obligated to provide retiree health benefits.

The New York Times

He also told me the restaurant had done all it was legally obligated to do.

The New York Times

Indeed, Mr. Saunders said, the service was not legally obligated to provide home delivery.

The New York Times

The US. is legally obligated to sell weapons to Taiwan for its self-defense.

The Guardian

Seek out a fiduciary — that is, someone legally obligated to put your best interests first.

The New York Times

In other words: Restaurants in Washington were legally obligated to serve everyone.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally obligated", clearly state who is obligated and to whom or what they are obligated. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't use "legally obligated" when you mean morally obligated. Legal obligations are enforceable by law, whereas moral obligations are based on ethical principles. They are not the same thing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally obligated" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being required by law. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples illustrating its descriptive role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legally obligated" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone is required to do something by law. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it's frequently used in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts. It's crucial to differentiate it from "morally obligated", as legal obligations are enforceable, while moral ones are based on ethics. When using "legally obligated", ensure clarity by specifying who is obligated and to what. Synonyms like "required by law" and "mandated by law" can provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required by law

Directly states the legal requirement.

legally required

Switches the position of the words, still very similar.

mandated by law

Emphasizes the authoritative nature of the legal requirement.

legally bound

Highlights the binding nature of the legal obligation.

under legal obligation

A more formal rephrasing of the original phrase.

compelled by law

Stresses the force or coercion behind the legal requirement.

required to by law

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the legal requirement.

legally compelled

Another synonym to legally required.

it is a legal requirement to

Changes from adjective form to subject-verb statement.

duty-bound by law

Highlights duty as a direct consequence of the law.

FAQs

How can I use "legally obligated" in a sentence?

You can use "legally obligated" to describe a situation where someone is required to do something because of a law. For example, "The company is "legally obligated" to provide a safe working environment".

What's the difference between "legally obligated" and "morally obligated"?

"Legally obligated" means you are required to do something by law, while "morally obligated" means you feel compelled to do something based on your sense of right and wrong. One is enforceable by law, the other is not.

Are there synonyms for "legally obligated" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "required by law", "mandated by law", or "legally bound" as alternatives to "legally obligated".

If someone is "legally obligated" to do something, what happens if they don't?

If someone fails to fulfill a legal obligation, they may face consequences such as fines, penalties, lawsuits, or even criminal charges, depending on the specific law and the nature of the obligation.