matter of obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matter of obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that is required or necessary due to duty or responsibility. Example: "In this organization, adhering to safety protocols is a matter of obligation for all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"This reform business -- it's a matter of obligation, as far as I'm concerned," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Abdallah Awaye, 35, a thin, sun-darkened man and the owner of the house, described his gesture as a matter of obligation and pride.

The New York Times

The decision of the court was based on the state's traditional use of the common law doctrine of comity, which specifies that Maryland "will give effect to laws and judicial decisions of another state or jurisdiction, not as a matter of obligation but out of deference and respect".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's a matter of legal obligation, imposed by the convention itself to which the UK voluntarily signed up.

The Guardian

Comey would justify his October 28th disclosure as a matter of moral obligation: he'd told two congressional committees that the investigation was complete, and plans to review the new material meant that that was no longer true.

The New Yorker

But the application of the term was indeterminate (before the decision of the appeal court set a precedent) if neither approach was demanded by the complex resources of legal reasoning that the courts (as a matter of legal obligation) had to act upon.

SEP

Mike Francesa cares about sports as people care about the weather; they are an anchor, a pulsing energy we orbit around as a matter of scientific obligation.

Vice

The complaint is more a matter of professional obligation than actual hurt feelings, bringing to mind the clock that Fox News ran marking down the time that had lapsed since Barack Obama had done an interview with the network.

Huffington Post

Thanks to the CRC, child rights are now at the cutting edge of the global struggle for human rights, to be ensured by adult society as a matter of legal obligation, moral imperative and development priority.

Unicef

Thanks to the Convention, child rights are now recognised as human rights, to be ensured by adult society as a matter of legal obligation, moral imperative and development priority.

Unicef

Like Kant, he considers morality a matter of unconditional moral obligations: the prohibitions, positive obligations, and permissions that regulate interaction among persons.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "matter of obligation" to emphasize that an action or behavior is not optional but required due to a pre-existing duty or commitment. This helps to set a clear expectation of compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "matter of obligation" when describing a choice or preference. This phrase should only be used when there is a genuine duty or requirement, not merely a desirable action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matter of obligation" functions as a noun phrase that modifies a subject by describing it in terms of a duty or requirement. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matter of obligation" is a phrase used to emphasize the compulsory nature of a duty or requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is grammatically sound and derived from authoritative sources, its frequency is relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. When using "matter of obligation", ensure that you are referring to a genuine duty rather than a preference. Alternatives such as "matter of duty" or "issue of responsibility" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter of duty

Replaces "obligation" with "duty", emphasizing a moral or ethical imperative.

issue of responsibility

Substitutes "matter" with "issue" and "obligation" with "responsibility", focusing on accountability.

question of moral imperative

Replaces "matter" with "question" and "obligation" with "moral imperative", highlighting the ethical necessity.

point of commitment

Changes "matter" to "point" and "obligation" to "commitment", suggesting dedication and adherence to something.

an act of compliance

Shifts the focus to the action of complying, implying adherence to rules or requirements.

legal requirement

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct term indicating a mandated action by law.

professional responsibility

Specifies the type of obligation, narrowing it down to duties within a professional context.

moral accountability

Combines moral considerations with the aspect of being answerable for one's actions.

ethical imperative

Highlights the ethical nature of the obligation, emphasizing its moral importance.

social imperative

Focuses on the societal expectations and necessities that drive the obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "matter of obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "matter of obligation" to indicate that something is required or necessary due to a duty or commitment. For example, "For healthcare professionals, patient confidentiality is a "matter of obligation"".

What phrases can I use instead of "matter of obligation"?

Alternatives to "matter of obligation" include "matter of duty", "issue of responsibility", or "legal requirement depending on the context".

Is it correct to say "it's an obligation" instead of "it's a matter of obligation"?

Yes, "it's an obligation" is a simpler way of expressing the same idea. However, "it's a "matter of obligation"" emphasizes the importance and non-negotiable nature of the duty.

What's the difference between "matter of obligation" and "matter of responsibility"?

"Matter of obligation" suggests a pre-existing duty or requirement, while "matter of responsibility" focuses on the accountability and actions taken to fulfill a role or commitment. Although they are similar, "matter of responsibility" often carries a stronger implication of personal agency.