obligation to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obligation to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibilities or duties that require someone to exist or fulfill a role in a certain context. Example: "There is an obligation to be present at the meeting if you want to contribute to the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I have an obligation to be youthful".

The Guardian - Music

Voters are under no obligation to be so gullible.

The Economist

There is no legal obligation to be kind.

Harvard University

The court determined Livingston's obligation to be 193 units.

The New York Times

An institution of democracy has an obligation to be democratic.

The New Yorker

So there is an obligation to be good.

The Guardian - Arts

Even realism has an obligation to be realistic.

The New Yorker

"That means it has a special obligation to be trustworthy".

The New York Times

"We have an obligation to be good people," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I think we've forgotten the obligation to be philanthropic.

The Guardian - Books

I have an obligation to be vocal and transparent.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obligation to be" when emphasizing a moral, legal, or ethical duty to exist or act in a specific way. It clearly conveys the weight of responsibility and expectation.

Common error

Avoid using "obligation to be" when simply expressing a personal desire or preference. "Obligation" implies a binding duty, not just a want.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obligation to be" functions as a noun phrase followed by an infinitive, indicating a required action or state. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. It is often used to express a sense of duty or necessity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obligation to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a sense of duty or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and formal settings. While synonyms like "duty to be" and "responsibility to be" exist, "obligation to be" specifically emphasizes the binding nature of the duty. Remember to reserve this phrase for situations where a genuine duty exists, avoiding its use for mere preferences. The prevalence of the phrase in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptance and proper usage in formal English writing. Use "obligation to be" to clearly articulate a defined commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

duty to be

Replaces "obligation" with "duty", offering a slightly more formal tone.

responsibility to be

Substitutes "obligation" with "responsibility", emphasizing accountability.

required to be

Uses "required" instead of "obligation", focusing on the necessity imposed by a rule or law.

bound to be

Replaces "obligation" with "bound", suggesting a sense of inevitability or destiny.

compelled to be

Substitutes "obligation" with "compelled", highlighting a strong internal or external pressure.

expected to be

Uses "expected" instead of "obligation", focusing on anticipation or anticipation of fulfilling a role or action.

incumbent to be

Replaces "obligation" with "incumbent", implying a formal or moral duty.

necessity to be

Substitutes "obligation" with "necessity", emphasizing the unavoidable nature of the requirement.

have a mandate to be

Replaces "obligation" with "mandate", focusing on the authority or permission to act.

under a constraint to be

Substitutes "obligation" with "constraint", implying limitation and lack of liberty to choose.

FAQs

How do I use "obligation to be" in a sentence?

Use "obligation to be" to express a duty or requirement to exist or act in a specific manner. For example, "There is an obligation to be transparent with stakeholders".

What's a more formal alternative to "obligation to be"?

A more formal alternative would be "duty to be", which carries a slightly stronger sense of moral or ethical imperative.

When is it inappropriate to use "obligation to be"?

It's inappropriate when describing a simple preference or desire. "Obligation" implies a binding duty, unlike a voluntary action; consider using "want to be" or "choose to be" instead.

Is there a difference between "obligation to be" and "responsibility to be"?

While similar, "responsibility to be" often implies a sense of accountability for actions or outcomes, whereas "obligation to be" can refer to a more general duty or requirement.