obliging someone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obliging someone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of doing something for someone else, often to help or please them. Example: "She was always obliging someone, whether it was helping a friend move or volunteering for extra tasks at work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are trying to fight that feeling, but I can't oblige someone to stay.

The New York Times

Nothing obliges someone who believes that the tobacco industry is evil to work in that industry.

The Economist

Mr Gallois may also be obliged to find someone to fill another tricky job at Airbus.

The Economist

No one is obliged to help someone else to die if their conscience, or their religion, forbids it.

The Guardian - Opinion

For someone obliged by occupation to be perceptive about what makes people tick, during the composition of that manuscript I'd been shockingly ignorant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A smart woman who had been obliged to be someone's idea of a wife, she had been at that table with the dumb little dictator: "The most insignificant of men, the man who can obtain influence or consideration nowhere else, finds one place where he is chief and head.

The New Yorker

It is looking into how people influence their own feelings and those of other people, from parents with their children to the way couples interact, to the effects on someone obliged constantly to wish customers "have a nice day" when they don't really mean it.

The Guardian

Then I explained that we were not allowed to give anyone a lethal injection just like that, only that you are obliged to, if someone can't breath or is in a lot of pain and God or Allah says that too, because you are not allowed to let anyone suffer unnecessarily.

BMC Palliative Care

You are not obliged to give someone all your rares just because they asked for.

WikiHow

His explanation of the difference between non-normative and normative assertions (between, as he put it, 'the assertion that someone was obliged to do something and the assertion that he had an obligation to do it') was merely that the latter sort of assertion is used to display a distinctive sort of attitude.

SEP

These guys want to fight a conventional war; since Al Qaeda won't oblige, they'll attack someone else who will.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obliging someone", ensure the context clearly indicates the action being performed to assist the other person. For example, "He was always obliging someone with a ride to the station."

Common error

While "obliging someone" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "helping someone" or "doing someone a favor" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obliging someone" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed by one party to accommodate or assist another. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct. Its purpose is to illustrate the act of fulfilling a request or being helpful.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obliging someone" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of accommodating or assisting another person, Ludwig confirms its validity. While versatile, it carries a slightly more formal tone and is frequently found in news and media, scientific writing, and wiki articles. For casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "helping someone" or "doing someone a favor" may be more appropriate. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the helpful act performed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accommodating someone

Focuses on adjusting to someone's needs or requests.

doing someone a favor

Highlights the act of performing a helpful service.

assisting someone

Emphasizes providing help or support.

helping someone out

A more informal way of saying assisting someone.

granting someone's request

Specifically refers to fulfilling a request made by someone.

meeting someone's needs

Highlights fulfilling requirements or necessities.

catering to someone

Suggests providing services or items to satisfy someone's desires.

doing right by someone

Implies treating someone fairly and well.

being of service to someone

Formal way to offer assistance.

attending to someone

Focuses on taking care of someone's needs or concerns.

FAQs

How can I use "obliging someone" in a sentence?

You can use "obliging someone" to describe the act of doing something for another person, often to be helpful or accommodating. For example: "She enjoys "obliging someone" by lending a listening ear."

What are some alternatives to "obliging someone"?

Alternatives include "accommodating someone", "assisting someone", or "doing someone a favor", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "obliging someone" formal or informal?

"Obliging someone" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, "helping someone out" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "obliging someone" and "helping someone"?

While both involve assistance, "obliging someone" often implies fulfilling a specific request or duty, while "helping someone" is a more general term for providing aid or support.