obligated to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obligated to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express an obligation or duty to settle a debt. For example: "According to the loan agreement, I am obligated to pay monthly payments on the loan for the next 5 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Am I obligated to pay for everything?

The New York Times

BP is legally obligated to pay these claims.

The New York Times

"I knew I was obligated to pay him something".

The New York Times

It appeared that legally we weren't obligated to pay.

The New Yorker

Dr. Murray, 58, will also be obligated to pay restitution to Jackson's estate and family.

The New York Times

He said: "The club was not contractually obligated to pay that money I suppose".

Independent

Foreign banks holding Eurodollars are obligated to pay in U.S. dollars when the deposits are withdrawn.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because he resigned, the university is not obligated to pay him anything.

The New York Times - Sports

With particularly late refund payments for returns filed on time, states are obligated to pay interest.

The New York Times

The partnership is obligated to pay the $14 million new mortgage for the housing complex.

The New York Times

The parent is obligated to pay for the cost of the change.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obligated to pay", clearly state the basis of the obligation (e.g., contract, law, agreement) to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "obligated to pay" when you mean "willing to pay" or "intend to pay". "Obligated" implies a binding requirement, not simply a desire or plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obligated to pay" functions as a verb phrase indicating a legal, contractual, or moral duty to provide funds. The examples found by Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from business agreements to legal settlements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obligated to pay" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression signifying a legal, contractual, or moral duty to make a payment. As Ludwig examples show, it appears in a variety of contexts, but is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and science. While it is crucial to differentiate this phrase from similar expressions like "willing to pay", the phrase is widely accepted and understood. Overall, Ludwig AI confirms that using "obligated to pay" is appropriate when you want to convey a clear and binding commitment to payment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required to pay

Replaces "obligated" with "required", emphasizing a necessity or demand.

bound to pay

Uses "bound" to indicate a legal or moral commitment to pay.

liable to pay

Indicates legal responsibility for payment.

duty to pay

Focuses on the moral or ethical imperative to make a payment.

responsible for payment

Highlights accountability for ensuring payment is made.

under an obligation to pay

Adds a more formal tone by explicitly stating the existence of an obligation.

contractually bound to pay

Specifies that the obligation arises from a contractual agreement.

legally required to pay

Emphasizes the legal basis of the payment obligation.

have a financial obligation to pay

Clarifies that the obligation is financial in nature.

expected to remit payment

Replaces pay with "remit payment", a more formal phrase indicating money transfer.

FAQs

How can I use "obligated to pay" in a sentence?

You can use "obligated to pay" to indicate a legal, contractual, or moral duty to make a payment. For example, "The company is "obligated to pay" the contractor upon completion of the project".

What are some alternatives to "obligated to pay"?

Alternatives include "required to pay", "liable to pay", or "bound to pay", depending on the specific context and the nature of the obligation.

Is there a difference between "obligated to pay" and "have to pay"?

"Obligated to pay" generally implies a formal or binding duty, often legal or contractual, while "have to pay" is more general and can refer to any kind of necessity. In other words, "have to pay" has broader meaning.

What does it mean to be "contractually obligated to pay"?

To be "contractually obligated to pay" means that the obligation to pay arises from the terms of a legally binding contract. The contract specifies the conditions under which payment must be made.