oblige with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "oblige with" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used in a formal or polite context to indicate that someone has been accommodating or helpful. Example: "The receptionist kindly obliged with a pen when I realized I had forgotten to bring one." In this sentence, "oblige with" is used to show that the receptionist was helpful by providing a pen. Other examples of using "oblige with" could include: - "Could you please oblige with some extra chairs for our guests?" - "My neighbor always obliges with his lawnmower whenever mine is broken." - "The restaurant was happy to oblige with a vegetarian option for their customer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The beneficiaries are expected to oblige with their vote.

The Economist

And if not, the kitchen will oblige with a pizza from the take-out menu.

The New York Times

Mercedes, too, can oblige with some rubbing, albeit at a stiff premium (forgive the expression).

The Guardian - Tech

I'd hoped the Baftas would oblige with a landslide; instead they snubbed it in every category save best British film.

The Guardian - Film

DealBook is happy to oblige — with a bonus listing of each man's ranking on the latest Forbes list of the world's wealthiest billionaires.

The New York Times

As the custodian of Broadband Research's records, he must oblige with the government's request; the court doesn't consider a corporate custodian to be acting in a personal capacity.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

She obliged with autographs.

The New York Times - Sports

The city obliges with haunted houses.

The New York Times - Arts

Wozniacki obliged with 37 unforced errors.

The New York Times - Sports

I obliged with such a nod.

The New York Times

Djokovic obliged with an overhit reply.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "oblige with" when you want to convey a sense of formal helpfulness or willingness to assist in a specific manner. It's suitable for both written and spoken English but leans toward a more formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "oblige with" in very casual or informal settings, as it might sound overly formal or even stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "help with" or "provide" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "oblige with" functions as a verb phrase, where "oblige" is the verb and "with" is a preposition that connects the verb to the object being provided or the action being performed. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction signifies willingness to accommodate a request. The given examples show its usage in various contexts, such as offering assistance or providing something needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "oblige with" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a willingness to provide assistance or fulfill a request. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, it is generally used in a polite or formal context. While it's suitable for both written and spoken English, it's most prevalent in news and media sources, fitting well in professional settings. To maintain a natural and appropriate tone, remember to adjust your language based on the context: reserve "oblige with" for more formal scenarios and opt for simpler alternatives like "help with" in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

oblige by

Similar but removes the explicit mention of what is being offered.

accommodate by

Focuses on providing accommodation or fulfilling a need.

aid with

Similar to assist, but can imply more significant help.

comply by

Emphasizes adherence to a request or requirement.

assist by

Highlights the act of providing assistance.

help by

Simple and direct way to express offering assistance.

provide through

Focuses on the act of supplying something.

furnish by

Implies providing something necessary or useful.

serve by

Highlights the act of offering a service.

cater to with

Highlights fulfilling a specific need or desire.

FAQs

How can I use "oblige with" in a sentence?

You can use "oblige with" to indicate that someone is willingly providing something helpful, for example, "The hotel was happy to "oblige with" extra towels".

What's the difference between "oblige with" and "help with"?

"Oblige with" carries a more formal tone and suggests a willingness to go the extra mile, whereas "help with" is more general and can be used in a wider range of contexts. If you want to sound more formal, ""oblige with"" is a good choice, otherwise go with "help with".

What can I say instead of "oblige with"?

Alternatives to "oblige with" include "assist with", "provide", or "accommodate with" depending on the context.

Is "oblige with" appropriate for informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "oblige with" is more suited for formal or professional settings. In informal conversations, simpler phrases like "help with" or "provide" are generally more appropriate.