obligation lies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obligation lies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate where a responsibility or duty is situated or assigned. Example: "The obligation lies with the management to ensure that all safety protocols are followed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The headmaster also thinks there is something in Ms Chua's argument that Chinese parents believe "their kids owe them everything", whereas Westerners think that the obligation lies all in the opposite direction.Educational methods certainly do differ.

The Economist

At elite level an obligation lies on fans to turn out to support their teams after those in boardrooms heeded strong public pressure to deny Rangers re-entry to the Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

(DJN I.1.15) Similarly, when explaining the legitimating aspect of commands or obligations (human or divine), or that in them which evokes our reverence or respect, Pufendorf stresses the commanding party's ability and willingness to benefit (or his having done so) those on whom the obligation lies.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Just now, it was said that the ground of obligation lay in our natures as rational, social, self-preserving beings.

SEP

However, should they diverge, the capacity building team is in a difficult situation and becomes very mindful of who pays its salaries and where its highest obligations lie.

The Guardian

Payment for participation might be one; perhaps persuasion and pointing out where our moral obligations lie is all that is required to convince people of their duties.

Bioethics

"We look to organizations such as the Council of Europe to further push the legal standards on prevention of violence and to monitor progress made in Member States," said Veneman.  "While legal obligations lie with the state, all sectors of society share the responsibility of condemning and preventing violence against children".

Unicef

In the strong accountability perspective organizations accept social and environmental responsibility as an ethical obligation that lies at the core of the business model and integrate in their accountability system a responsibility towards an efficient, ethical and effective use of resources (Garriga and Melé 2004) such as the following case demonstrates.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Just a block off the strip -- so, thankfully, outside my zone of obligation -- lies the glittering monstrosity that is the Trump Hotel Las Vegas; a 64-story, 24-carat-gold-plated monument to American capitalism, emblazoned with its founder's name in obscenely high letters (the same name that can be found on those hideous shirts, ties and other overpriced products for the undiscerning jerk).

Huffington Post

The obligation therefore lies on healthcare practitioners to elicit history of herbal use during preoperative assessment.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Holy secrets have an obligation to lie beyond human understanding and, if unveiled, to produce a physically overwhelming effect.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obligation lies", ensure that the subject to which the obligation is assigned is clearly defined. For example, "The obligation lies with the company to ensure employee safety."

Common error

Avoid vagueness when stating where the "obligation lies". Clearly specify the entity or individual responsible, or it may lead to ambiguity and diffusion of responsibility. Don't say 'The obligation lies somewhere', instead be precise: 'The obligation lies with the department head'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obligation lies" functions as a statement of responsibility or duty. It indicates the entity or individual that is accountable for a specific task or outcome. Ludwig examples demonstrate usage in diverse contexts, from moral philosophy to legal standards.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obligation lies" is a grammatically sound phrase used to specify where a responsibility or duty is located. Ludwig AI indicates that it's considered correct and usable in written English. Although relatively rare, its usage appears across varied contexts, including news, science, and business, suggesting a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the subject of the obligation is explicitly identified to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "responsibility rests" and "duty falls" offer alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsibility rests

Changes the noun from "obligation" to "responsibility" and uses the verb "rests" instead of "lies".

duty falls

Substitutes "obligation" with "duty" and "lies" with "falls", indicating a shift in responsibility.

responsibility falls

Employs both "responsibility" and "falls", offering a more active sense of delegation.

onus lies

Replaces "obligation" with "onus", indicating a burden or responsibility.

burden falls

Uses "burden" to emphasize the weight of the responsibility and "falls" to show assignment.

accountability resides

Shifts the focus to "accountability" and uses "resides" to denote where the responsibility is located.

liability exists

Highlights the potential legal or financial responsibility, using "exists" to confirm its presence.

the buck stops

An idiomatic expression meaning ultimate responsibility, usually implying finality.

the duty is

Directly states that a duty exists, focusing on the nature of the obligation itself.

the onus rests

Similar to "onus lies", but uses "rests" to emphasize the placement of the burden.

FAQs

How do I use "obligation lies" in a sentence?

Use "obligation lies" to specify where a duty or responsibility is located. For example, "The "obligation lies with" the project manager to deliver the project on time."

What can I say instead of "obligation lies"?

Alternatives include "responsibility rests", "duty falls", or "onus lies". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "obligation lies" and "responsibility lies"?

While similar, "obligation" often implies a formal or legal duty, whereas "responsibility" can be broader. "Responsibility lies" might be used in a moral or ethical context, whereas "obligation lies" suggests a commitment.

Is "obligation lies with" a redundant phrase?

While "obligation lies" is complete on its own, adding "with" can provide clarity, especially when specifying the entity bearing the obligation: "The "obligation lies with" the homeowner to maintain the property."