obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a moral, legal, or social requirement when someone is required to fulfill a specific task or activity. For example: Bob felt an obligation to help his neighbors during their time of need.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have no obligation to make a statement".

The Economist

That's my most important obligation as President and Commander-in-Chief.

The Economist

"We would have an obligation as a good friend and neighbour in our region to respond if we had a request from one of those nations," he said.

The Guardian

They include consent, legal obligation, to fulfil a contract with an individual, to protect life, and so on.

The Guardian - Opinion

But by checking out of the process, you are checking out of both the right, but also obligation, to play your part in the society you want to see, and leave for your children.

The Guardian

Scottish National Party (p10): "we will seek additional investment to support a more rapid rollout of superfast broadband and 4G across Scotland and to support wider and affordable access to the internet in our most disadvantaged communities, and for a universal service obligation to be applied to telecoms and broadband providers ensuring everyone is able to access the communications they need".

The Guardian - Tech

Lord Adonis, the former transport secretary who was heavily involved in the Labour negotiations with the Lib Dems in 2010, insists that Brown fulfilled his constitutional obligation to remain in office until a clear successor had emerged.

The Guardian

Guy Johnson, external affairs director of Npower, which has announced average rises of 10.4%, said the largest driver of price rises had been the cost of the so-called climate obligation on power firms.

The Guardian

While looted artworks are meant to be returned to the heirs of their owners, there is only a non-binding "moral obligation" to return those pieces which were confiscated as "degenerate art" and then sold on.

The Guardian

But on the other he felt a moral obligation to apply the same values that the NGO promoted to one of their staff members.

The Guardian

As Robertson argues, states which have signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child have an obligation to take into account the interests of children of prisoners when deciding on sentences.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obligation" to refer to a specific, defined duty, rather than a general sense of goodwill.

Common error

Avoid using "obligation" when describing a choice or preference. "Obligation" implies a binding duty, whereas an option is a voluntary course of action.

Linguistic Context

The noun "obligation" functions as a direct object, subject complement, or object of a preposition. It typically represents a duty or requirement that someone is bound to fulfill, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "obligation" signifies a moral, legal, or social duty compelling someone to act. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discussions. Related phrases include "duty", "responsibility", and "commitment", offering subtle variations in meaning. When writing, it's crucial to specify the obligation's source to avoid ambiguity, distinguishing it from mere options or preferences. Remember that understanding these nuances ensures precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

duty

Emphasizes a moral or legal requirement to perform a specific action.

responsibility

Highlights accountability and the burden of care associated with a task or role.

commitment

Implies a pledge or promise to dedicate oneself to a cause or action.

requirement

Stresses a necessary condition or standard that must be met.

compulsion

Suggests an irresistible force or pressure driving someone to act.

necessity

Indicates something that is unavoidable or essential.

moral imperative

Highlights a strong ethical or moral reason for action.

legal liability

Focuses on the legal responsibility for one's actions or omissions.

contractual agreement

Stresses the binding nature of a formal contract.

social contract

Emphasizes the tacit agreement between individuals and their society.

FAQs

How to use "obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "obligation" to express a legal, moral, or social duty. For example, "He felt an obligation to help those in need" or "The company has a legal obligation to ensure worker safety".

What can I say instead of "obligation"?

You can use alternatives like "duty", "responsibility", or "commitment" depending on the context.

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

"Obligation" typically refers to a specific duty imposed by law, contract, or morality, while "responsibility" often implies a broader sense of accountability or care.

Is it correct to say "I have an obligation to do something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. This phrase indicates that you are bound by duty, law, or some other compelling force to perform a specific action.