official obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "official obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a duty or responsibility that is formally recognized or mandated by an authority or organization. Example: "As a public servant, I have an official obligation to serve the community and uphold the law."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Aides to Mr. Gore said the president's action relieved the vice president of any official obligation here and allowed him to stage the announcement as a campaign event.

The New York Times

* leaker who is admired for putting his notion of the public interest ahead of his official obligation or oath is called a whistle-blower; the same individual, viewed from inside, is called a fink, and is pursued vainly by plumbers.

The New York Times

Granier is fascinated by Klaatu, but is torn between his official obligation to detain the alien and protect his country.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Aides said the public understands that being president costs money and that Mr. Obama has official obligations and deserves time off.

The New York Times

To call men of smaller official obligations, carried out in the face of intimidation, heroes is, perhaps, to change the meaning of what we mean by heroism.

The New Yorker

How is compliance with these official obligations in the individual's interest?

SEP

The relevant obligations here are the official obligations of the individual: the judicial obligation to decide cases according to the dictates of stare decisis and other obligatory practices; the executive official's obligation to apply the law.

SEP

A good dose of inflation caused by printing money (and the Federal Reserve is printing lots of money these days) can quickly wipe out much, if not all, of the real value of the official obligations.

Forbes

When a royal princess runs away from her official obligations and duties to see how normal people live, she starts to fall in love with a good Samaritan who is unaware of her real identity.

Los Angeles Times

The actual tax payments of corporations, and especially large corporations, are far lower than their official, theoretical obligations.

The Guardian - Opinion

That gave rise to a legal battle infused not only with the usual wrenching accusations of abuse and neglect but also with serious questions about religious freedom, the sexual exploitation of teenagers by religious institutions and a law enforcement official's obligations to obey the law in his personal life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "official obligation", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or authority imposing the obligation. This adds clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "official obligation" when you actually mean a moral or ethical duty. "Official obligation" implies a formal, often legal or policy-based requirement, unlike moral obligations which are based on personal beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "official obligation" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It names a specific type of duty or responsibility, often imposed by a formal authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "official obligation" is a grammatically correct and usable noun phrase that describes a formal duty or responsibility. Though rare, it appears mostly in news and media, wiki and science contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is valid and useful for clearly defining enforced duties. For alternatives, consider "formal duty" or "legal responsibility". When writing, be sure to differentiate between an "official" versus a "moral" obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

official responsibility

Synonymous, but uses a different word order.

formal duty

Focuses on the formality and expected nature of the duty.

legal responsibility

Highlights the legal aspect of the obligation.

mandatory requirement

Emphasizes the compulsory nature of the requirement.

regulatory requirement

Emphasizes requirements derived from regulations.

required commitment

Underscores the commitment that is needed.

prescribed duty

Indicates that the duty is set down in advance.

stipulated responsibility

Suggests the responsibility is specifically detailed and agreed upon.

incumbent duty

Stresses the duty being imposed on someone.

formal charge

Emphasizes the formal appointment to a duty.

FAQs

How can I use "official obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "official obligation" to describe a duty or responsibility that is required by a position or authority. For example, "The president has an /s/official+obligation to uphold the Constitution".

What's a good alternative to "official obligation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "formal duty", "legal responsibility", or "mandatory requirement".

What is the difference between "official obligation" and "moral obligation"?

"Official obligation" refers to a formal, often legally binding duty, while "moral obligation" refers to a duty based on ethical or personal beliefs. They are distinct concepts, although they can sometimes overlap.

Is "official duty" the same as "official obligation"?

While similar, "official duty" often refers to the tasks or functions associated with a role, while "official obligation" emphasizes the binding nature of a specific requirement. You can use "official responsibility" to mean about the same as "official obligation".