our obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "our obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing responsibilities or duties that are expected or required of a person or group. Example: "It is our obligation to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's our obligation.

The New York Times

Isn't that our obligation, as citizens?

The New Yorker

What was our obligation then?

The New York Times - Magazine

"That's our obligation as educators," she said.

The New York Times

'It's our obligation to provide them.

The New York Times

It is our responsibility, our obligation and our duty.

The New York Times

"We are really late in repaying our obligation," he said.

The New York Times

"What is our obligation in making work?", he asks.

Independent

Part of our obligation is keeping America safe".

The New York Times

Have we fulfilled our obligation?" she asked, to the air.

The New Yorker

The maintenance of historical knowledge is our obligation.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "our obligation", clearly define who 'our' refers to and the specific action or duty being discussed to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Our obligation is clear", specify "Our obligation as citizens is to vote in every election".

Common error

Avoid using "our obligation" in contexts where a suggestion or recommendation would be more appropriate. This phrase implies a strong imperative, so ensure the situation genuinely warrants such a firm declaration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our obligation" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies a duty or responsibility that 'we' have. Ludwig examples show it clarifying duties in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

18%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our obligation" is a versatile phrase used to express a sense of duty or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across a range of contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains. While similar to phrases like "our duty" or "our responsibility", it carries a nuance of external or moral imperative. When using "our obligation", it's best to define who 'our' refers to and the specific duty to ensure clarity and impact. Alternatives such as our duty or our responsibility are useful when aiming for a less formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our duty

Replaces "obligation" with "duty", implying a moral or legal imperative.

our responsibility

Substitutes "obligation" with "responsibility", highlighting accountability for specific actions or outcomes.

our commitment

Replaces "obligation" with "commitment", emphasizing a pledge or dedication to a course of action.

what we must do

Offers a more direct way of stating the necessary action without using formal terms like "obligation".

what is required of us

Emphasizes the requirement aspect of the obligation, focusing on external demands.

our imperative

Replaces "obligation" with "imperative", suggesting a critical and unavoidable need.

our charge

Uses "charge" to indicate a responsibility or duty that has been assigned.

our onus

Substitutes "obligation" with "onus", highlighting the burden or responsibility of action.

what falls to us

Indicates a task or duty that naturally or inevitably becomes one's responsibility.

our moral imperative

Adds "moral" to emphasize the ethical dimension of the obligation.

FAQs

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

Use "our obligation" to express a duty or responsibility that a group or entity has. For instance, "It is "our obligation" to protect the environment for future generations".

What's a less formal way to express "our obligation"?

Alternatives like "our responsibility", "our duty", or simply "what we must do" can convey a similar meaning with a less formal tone.

Is there a difference between "our obligation" and "our responsibility"?

While similar, ""our obligation"" often implies a moral, legal, or externally imposed duty, whereas "our responsibility" can refer to a broader sense of accountability that may be self-imposed or situationally derived.

When should I use "our obligation" instead of "our goal"?

"Our obligation" should be used when referring to a mandatory action or duty, while "our goal" is appropriate when discussing an aim or desired outcome. For example, fulfilling a contract is ""our obligation"", while increasing sales is "our goal".