moral obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

'moral obligation' is a valid and correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example: "As citizens of the country, we all have a moral obligation to continue paying our taxes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is your moral obligation.

The New York Times

"It's a moral obligation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead, they see a moral obligation.

The New York Times

This was our moral obligation".

The Guardian

It is our moral obligation".

The New York Times

"There's a moral obligation to do this.

The Guardian

Diversity is also a moral obligation".

The Guardian

"I see more of a moral obligation.

The New York Times

"I had a moral obligation," he says.

The Guardian

Most clients we talk to think it's a moral obligation.

The New York Times

The world has a moral obligation to help the Palestinians.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "moral obligation", clearly define the source of that obligation. Is it derived from personal values, societal norms, or religious beliefs? Providing context strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "moral obligation" when a "legal obligation" is more appropriate. A "moral obligation" is based on ethics and conscience, while a "legal obligation" is enforced by law. Using them interchangeably can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moral obligation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and correct usage in English. For example, "It is our moral obligation to have our sensibilities offended".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moral obligation" is a common and correct noun phrase used to describe a duty rooted in ethical principles. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is well-established in English, and as the examples demonstrate, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you differentiate it from a legal duty and clearly define the basis of the obligation. While synonyms like "ethical duty" or "sense of duty" exist, "moral obligation" specifically emphasizes a compelling commitment based on moral values.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ethical responsibility

Replaces "moral" with "ethical", emphasizing adherence to a code of conduct, often professionally defined. This alternative is less about personal conviction and more about standards.

ethical duty

Swaps "moral" with "ethical" and "obligation" with "duty", underscoring a responsibility rooted in a system of ethics.

sense of duty

Focuses on the feeling or awareness of having to do something, which may stem from morality but doesn't necessarily imply a binding obligation.

compelling duty

Highlights that the duty is something you cannot dismiss or ignore. It is very pressing and difficult to avoid.

ethical imperative

Emphasizes that the responsibility is absolutely essential and should not be avoided for any reason.

social responsibility

Shifts the focus to duties owed to society as a whole, rather than individual moral convictions.

civic duty

Narrows the scope to obligations related to citizenship and participation in a community or nation.

social contract

Refers to the implicit agreement among members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, implying obligations.

call of conscience

Emphasizes the internal moral compass that directs a person's actions, differing from external obligations.

imperative of conscience

Stresses that there is an internal moral compass that directs a person's actions, differing from external obligations.

FAQs

How to use "moral obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "moral obligation" to describe a duty based on principles of right and wrong, such as "We have a "moral obligation" to help those in need".

What is the difference between "moral obligation" and "legal obligation"?

"Moral obligation" stems from one's conscience and ethical beliefs, while "legal obligation" is a duty enforced by law. While there may be overlap, not all moral obligations are legal ones, and vice versa.

Are "moral responsibility" and "moral obligation" the same thing?

While closely related, "moral responsibility" often refers to accountability for actions, whereas "moral obligation" implies a duty to act in a certain way, whether or not one is responsible for a prior action.

What are some synonyms for "moral obligation"?

Synonyms for "moral obligation" include "ethical duty", "moral imperative", and "sense of duty", although each carries slightly different connotations.