obliged to know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obliged to know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a sense of duty or necessity to acquire certain knowledge or information. Example: "As a responsible citizen, I feel obliged to know the laws that govern my community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

So I feel obliged to know where I belong".

The Guardian

We have had many happy meals around our kitchen table with friends and family, and the children are extremely knowledgeable about food, as they are obliged to know what it might contain before they eat it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That they knew so little of Palestinian culture as to be unaware what might constitute gross indecency to a religious people only shows how little they knew – and how little they thought they were obliged to know – of the place in which they'd made their intervention.

Independent

In many professions it is now common that practitioners are obliged to know about the latest relevant research results.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

It seems that SDL countenances inferences from patently impermissible states of affairs that someone is obliged to know hold when they hold to the conclusion that the same impermissible states of affairs are obligatory.[2] Return to Deontic Logic.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

We are certainly not obliged to get to know something if we do not wish to.

Huffington Post

Redfearn says Leeds are legally obliged to let him know before the final game of the season whether they intend to keep him in the role.

BBC

Nevertheless, KRTV-TV felt obliged to let viewers know both on the air and online that the earlier report of zombies rising out of their graves was not accurate.

Huffington Post

Today, while banks are obliged to institute "know-your-customer" safeguards against money laundering, real-estate professionals are not.

The New Yorker

"If there is no access to information - if our government is misinforming us - we are obliged to mobilise society to know what happened.

The Guardian

Administrators Begbies Traynor have said they were expecting five bids for the club to be made before Monday's deadline, but Chaudry maintained potential bidders should be obliged to make themselves known to supporters.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obliged to know" when you want to convey a sense of duty, requirement, or moral imperative to possess specific knowledge. It is suitable in formal contexts or when emphasizing the importance of understanding something.

Common error

Avoid using "obliged to know" when simply stating awareness or knowledge. "Obliged to know" implies a responsibility or duty, not just possession of information. For example, instead of saying "He was obliged to know the capital of France" (unless it was his job), use "He knew the capital of France".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obliged to know" functions as part of a predicate indicating a state of being required or duty-bound to possess knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, particularly when expressing a sense of duty or necessity to acquire certain knowledge.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obliged to know" is a phrase used to indicate a sense of duty, necessity, or moral imperative to possess specific knowledge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. When writing, ensure the phrase accurately conveys a requirement rather than mere awareness. Consider alternatives such as "required to understand" or "duty-bound to learn" for nuanced expressions. Be mindful not to overuse it in casual settings where simpler terms suffice. The source analysis indicates it is mainly present in reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required to understand

Emphasizes a more formal requirement for understanding.

under an obligation to comprehend

Emphasizes a formal requirement for understanding.

duty-bound to learn

Highlights the sense of moral obligation.

supposed to be informed about

Focuses on the expected state of being informed.

expected to be aware of

Focuses on the expectation of possessing certain information.

incumbent upon to discover

Suggests a responsibility to find out something.

called upon to appreciate

Implies a need to understand and value something.

behooved to ascertain

Implies a benefit derived from acquiring knowledge.

morally bound to recognize

Stresses the ethical dimension of knowing.

legally compelled to acknowledge

Highlights a legal necessity.

FAQs

How can I use "obliged to know" in a sentence?

You can use "obliged to know" when indicating a duty or necessity to possess certain information. For example: "As a doctor, I am "obliged to know" the latest medical advancements."

What phrases are similar to "obliged to know"?

Similar phrases include "required to understand", "duty-bound to learn", or "expected to be aware of", each with subtle differences in meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "obliged to know"?

It is appropriate to use "obliged to know" in formal contexts, when there's a professional, ethical, or legal duty to have specific knowledge. Avoid using it in casual conversations where mere awareness is sufficient.

What's the difference between "obliged to know" and "need to know"?

"Obliged to know" implies a responsibility or duty, whereas "need to know" simply indicates that knowledge is necessary for a specific purpose. "I am obliged to know this law" suggests a legal requirement, while "I need to know the schedule" means the schedule is required for my planning.