main obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the primary duty or responsibility that someone has in a particular context. Example: "As a project manager, my main obligation is to ensure that the team meets its deadlines and delivers quality work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The competitors' main obligation is to do what sets them up best to win a medal.

The New York Times - Sports

My main obligation is to defend somebody, not to deal with philosophy.

The New Yorker

A related issue is the notion that the CEO's main obligation is to shareholders.

Harvard Business Review

"My main obligation is going to be to represent people who live in the United States".

The New York Times

Under "responsibility to protect," the main obligation to prevent genocide or mass atrocities lies with the home government.

The New York Times

On the other side, city officials say their main obligation is to enforce the laws even if it might seem antagonistic to ultra-Orthodox traditions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"The end result will be a BBC that focuses on its two main obligations to the public – to provide distinctive public service content and to use their money wisely".

The Guardian

"The Japanese ethical code consists of three main pillars: obligation, shame and the environment that surrounds people," said Shinichi Yanaka, a professor at Japan Women's University and a specialist in Bushido, the samurai's code.

The New York Times

For the funding of any intervention, Ofcom looks primarily to a slice of the licence fee, even though it has published this week a prediction that the rising scale of losses on regional news could drive ITV to dump that main PSB obligation a year or more before the digital switchover monies become available.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, the foundation is urging the tobacco companies, whose main financial obligations under the settlement ended in April, to keep on giving.

The New York Times

Policy operation involves four main factors authorization, refrain, obligation, and delegation.

Policy-Based Network Management Solutions for the Next Generation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "main obligation" with a specific action or goal, such as "My main obligation is to ensure project completion." This provides a concrete focus for the obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "main obligation" for tasks that are secondary or less crucial. This dilutes the significance of the primary duty and can create confusion about priorities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main obligation" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important duty or responsibility someone has, as illustrated in Ludwig examples where it defines roles and expectations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main obligation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the most important duty or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across varied contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. While alternatives like "primary responsibility" or "chief duty" exist, the choice depends on the specific context. When using "main obligation", ensure it accurately reflects the principal duty to maintain clarity and avoid misrepresenting minor tasks. Its usage spans formal and informal registers, rendering it versatile for various communication needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary responsibility

Focuses on the core duty, similar to "main obligation" but uses "responsibility" instead of "obligation".

chief duty

Emphasizes the principal duty, replacing "main obligation" with "chief duty".

principal responsibility

Highlights the key responsibility, using "principal" instead of "main".

core responsibility

Stresses the essential nature of the responsibility, substituting "main" with "core".

key obligation

Focuses on the significant importance of the obligation, swapping "main" for "key".

central duty

Indicates the central or most important duty, offering a synonym for "main".

overriding obligation

Highlights an obligation that takes precedence, adding a sense of priority.

primary duty

Highlights the primary duty, keeping "primary" instead of "main".

foremost responsibility

Emphasizes the leading or most important responsibility, providing a stronger emphasis.

fundamental duty

Focuses on the foundational nature of the duty, indicating it is essential.

FAQs

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

You can use "main obligation" to specify someone's chief duty, such as "The CEO's "main obligation" is to the shareholders" or "My "main obligation" is to ensure the project's success".

What phrases are similar to "main obligation"?

Similar phrases include "primary responsibility", "chief duty", or "principal responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "main obligation" formal or informal?

"Main obligation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations may benefit from alternatives like "primary responsibility" or "principal duty".

Can "main obligation" be used in a legal context?

Yes, "main obligation" can be used in legal contexts to refer to key duties or responsibilities, but it's crucial to ensure the specific legal terminology is also accurate and included where appropriate.