out of obedience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of obedience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action taken as a result of following orders or rules, often in a context involving authority or duty. Example: "She completed the task out of obedience to her supervisor's request."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He took up the law, which made all else possible, out of obedience to his father.

The Economist

People routinely perpetrate wrongs out of obedience to their conscience, even in situations when the law mandates better behavior.

The New Yorker

Martin is also an animal lover, and after his fiancee's boxer flunked out of obedience school, only he could tame and mesmerize the hyperactive dog.

The New York Times - Sports

While some of Zaria's relatives dealt with her heartbreak by telling her she should just "get on with it" and have sex out of obedience, Zaria had what she describes as a "lightbulb moment" and began searching the internet.

The Guardian

Sophocles allows both the fictional character Antigone and the spectators to take comfort in the fact that her transgression against the state is done out of obedience to a divine mandate to honor one's family and, moreover, that her own terrible fate is ultimately the work of the gods.

The New York Times

He should do this out of obedience to the licence payer and be brave enough to admit that perhaps his decision needs to be reviewed and possibly undone.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Ultimately parents need to decide whether they want their kids to make choices out of respect or obedience.

HuffPost

This should go viral!" "Starting this video out, they call it a step of obedience, and then the camera pans to the students," said Gaylor.

Huffington Post

Option B) Throw out every last bit of obedience training you've ever received and live it up, because life is short, and treats?

Huffington Post

For the first time in four decades, a researcher has repeated the Milgram experiment to find out whether, after all we have learned in the last 45 years, Americans are still as willing to inflict pain out of blind obedience.

The New York Times

And the classic portrait of Eichmann as a soulless cog in the machinery of totalitarianism, a petty bureaucrat acting out of "blind obedience," in the incredulous description by Moshe Landau, the presiding judge at the trial — who, as it happens, died just the other day, at 99 — has also come to seem a sacred but dubious shibboleth of the time.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of obedience", ensure the context clearly establishes the authority or source of the command or rule being followed. This provides clarity and strengthens the meaning of the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "out of obedience" when the action is driven by fear or coercion rather than genuine adherence to authority. Obedience implies a degree of willingness or acceptance, even if reluctant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of obedience" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the reason or motivation behind an action. It clarifies why someone performed a specific action, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "out of obedience" serves as an adverbial phrase to indicate that an action was performed because of a command or rule. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias. While "out of obedience" is appropriate in numerous situations, it's critical to ensure that the context correctly reflects the motivation behind the action and that the obedience is not confused with fear or coercion. Several alternative phrases, such as "in compliance with" or "at the behest of", can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in compliance with

Emphasizes adherence to a rule or order.

in accordance with instructions

Highlights the act of following specific directives.

pursuant to orders

A formal way of indicating action taken because of an order.

following a command

Focuses on the act of heeding a directive.

at the behest of

Indicates acting on someone's request or order.

on the orders of

Directly states that an action was done because someone commanded it.

driven by obedience

Emphasizes that obedience is the motivating force.

in subjection to

Highlights the act of submitting to a higher power.

under the direction of

Focuses on the guidance or supervision received.

acting under orders

Highlights the action being performed due to specific commands.

FAQs

How can I use "out of obedience" in a sentence?

You can use "out of obedience" to describe actions taken because of following orders or rules. For example, "She completed the task "out of obedience" to her supervisor's request."

What are some alternatives to saying "out of obedience"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in compliance with", "in accordance with", or "at the behest of", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always positive to act "out of obedience"?

Not necessarily. While obedience can be virtuous, especially in hierarchical structures, acting ""out of obedience"" can sometimes lead to negative outcomes if the orders are unethical or harmful. It's important to critically assess the situation.

What's the difference between acting "out of respect" and "out of obedience"?

Acting "out of respect" implies admiration and esteem for the person or institution, while acting ""out of obedience"" emphasizes following commands or rules, even if admiration isn't the primary motivator. Respect is voluntary, while obedience often carries an element of obligation.