obliged by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obliged by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a sense of duty or requirement to do something due to external factors or obligations. Example: "I felt obliged by my responsibilities to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Viswanathan Anand also obliged by staying away.

The New York Times

I obliged by not identifying them by name.

The New York Times

MacCarthy showed up and obliged by talking brilliantly.

The New Yorker

Mr. Vaysman obliged by hitting a series of impressive shots.

The New York Times

And restaurants have obliged by adding healthy menu items.

The New York Times

Consequently, the audience obliged by stopping their laughter.

The Guardian - Books

Raonic obliged by netting his next backhand volley.

The Guardian - Sport

The federal government is obliged by many constitutional provisions to respect the individual citizen's basic rights.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Schwimmer was obliged by family financial reverses to go to work as a bookkeeper in 1896.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Michael Carberry obliged by glancing to a leg-slip placed exactly for the stroke.

Independent

Broadcasters are obliged by a condition of their broadcast licences to enforce ASA rulings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obliged by" when you want to convey a sense of duty or requirement stemming from an external factor, such as a law, contract, or social expectation. For example: "The company was obliged by the contract to provide health insurance."

Common error

Avoid using "obliged by" when the reason for the action is a personal choice or desire. The phrase implies an external compulsion, not a voluntary decision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obliged by" typically functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something is under a compulsion or duty to act due to an external factor, such as a law, regulation, or agreement. Ludwig confirms this correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Huffington Post

5%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obliged by" is a versatile phrase used to express a sense of duty or requirement due to external constraints. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its correctness and wide usage across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. The phrase is generally neutral to formal, effectively communicating the reasons behind actions and highlighting the force that compels a particular behavior or decision. When using "obliged by", ensure the source of obligation is external and not a personal choice. Alternatives like "bound by", "required by", and "compelled by" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under an obligation to

Directly states the presence of an obligation, lacking the nuance of indirect influence present in "obliged by".

bound by

Indicates a state of being restricted or compelled by something, similar to being obliged, but implies a stronger sense of restriction.

required by

Emphasizes a formal or legal necessity, differing from "obliged by" which can also imply a moral or social duty.

compelled by

Highlights the force or pressure that necessitates an action, whereas "obliged by" suggests more of a willing compliance.

duty-bound by

Specifically implies a sense of moral or professional responsibility, more direct than "obliged by".

constrained by

Suggests limitations and restrictions that drive actions, shifting the focus from willing compliance to external limitations.

dictated by

Implies that an action is determined or controlled by something, giving less emphasis on the actor's willingness compared to "obliged by".

necessitated by

Focuses on the needs or conditions that make an action unavoidable, highlighting the necessity more than the obligation.

incumbent on

Highlights the duty or responsibility resting on someone, differing from "obliged by" by emphasizing the person responsible.

accountable to

Focuses on the responsibility to justify actions, making the reason for the obligation much more clear than in "obliged by".

FAQs

How can I use "obliged by" in a sentence?

Use "obliged by" to show a sense of duty or requirement due to an external constraint. For example: "The restaurant was "required to" offer healthy menu options because they were "obliged by" new local regulations".

What are some alternatives to "obliged by"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "bound by", "required by", or "compelled by".

Is it correct to say "I am obliged by you"?

While grammatically correct, it's less common. It's more usual to say "I am obliged to you" to express gratitude, or "I am obliged by circumstances" to show constraint.

What's the difference between "obliged by" and "obliged to"?

"Obliged by" indicates the cause of the obligation, while "obliged to" indicates the action you are required to perform. For example, "I am obliged by law to pay taxes" versus "I am obliged to pay taxes".