outstanding obligations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding obligations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to responsibilities or debts that have not yet been fulfilled or settled. Example: "The company must address its outstanding obligations before seeking new investments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Consistency reminds your customers of their outstanding obligations.

The New York Times

Its outstanding obligations now amount to thirty-eight billion dollars, making it — Excelsior!

The New Yorker

"Non-unique products are supplied based on hospitals' outstanding obligations and overdue status," she said.

The Guardian

"If you have any outstanding obligations to her, then I release you".

The Guardian - Books

*Before agreeing to pay Sosa, the Yankees would have to take stock of their outstanding obligations.

The New York Times - Sports

Eleven of the 17 companies that received criticism in the report have repaid the government with interest, so they have no outstanding obligations to reimburse.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

("early repayment will reduce Iceland's outstanding obligation to the IMF to SDR 236.875 million (about US$345.1 million).

Wikipedia

Fairness implies that host countries would not seek to recruit physicians who have an outstanding obligation to the home country and would inform migrants of their rights and job requirements.

Human Resources for Health

The ballet and opera are in discussions about resolving the opera's outstanding financial obligations.

The New York Times - Arts

The organization is "developing a plan to resolve all outstanding debts, obligations and other issues," said a statement released by the group.

The New York Times

Banks could pledge mortgages or other outstanding loan obligations, expanding the potential pool of collateral by about €200 billion, according to E.C.B. estimates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, use "outstanding obligations" to clearly denote debts or payments that are yet to be settled. This phrase conveys a sense of formal accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding obligations" to refer to future or anticipated responsibilities. This phrase specifically describes duties or debts that already exist but have not yet been fulfilled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding obligations" functions as a noun phrase, where "outstanding" modifies "obligations". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It typically identifies duties, debts, or responsibilities that have not yet been fulfilled.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outstanding obligations" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for describing duties, debts, or responsibilities that remain unfulfilled. As Ludwig highlights, it appears most frequently in news and business contexts, emphasizing its role in formal communication. When writing, ensure you're referring to existing, not future, duties and consider using synonyms like "unfulfilled duties" or "pending debts" to add variety or nuance to your writing. Understanding this phrase's correct usage will enhance clarity and precision in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfulfilled duties

Replaces "obligations" with "duties", focusing on a sense of moral or professional responsibility that hasn't been met.

pending debts

Substitutes "outstanding obligations" with "pending debts", emphasizing the financial aspect of what is owed.

unpaid debts

Replaces "outstanding" with "unpaid" debts, focusing on the financial aspect and the state of not being paid.

remaining liabilities

Replaces "obligations" with "liabilities", emphasizing the financial and legal responsibilities that remain.

existing commitments

Uses "commitments" instead of "obligations", suggesting agreements or promises that are still in effect.

unresolved commitments

Suggests that the commitments are not only outstanding but also possibly causing problems or requiring a solution.

unfinished business

Uses a more idiomatic expression implying tasks or commitments that are not yet completed.

due responsibilities

Substitutes both words, focusing on a sense of duty that is owed or expected.

open accounts

This alternative focuses on the financial aspect of obligations, particularly in a business context.

overdue payments

Emphasizes the aspect of payments that have passed their due date and are therefore outstanding.

FAQs

How can I use "outstanding obligations" in a sentence?

You can use "outstanding obligations" to refer to responsibilities or debts that haven't yet been fulfilled. For example: "The company needs to settle its "outstanding obligations" before pursuing new projects."

What are some alternatives to "outstanding obligations"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "unfulfilled duties", "pending debts", or "remaining liabilities".

Is there a difference between "outstanding obligations" and "future obligations"?

"Outstanding obligations" refer to current responsibilities that haven't been met, while "future obligations" are responsibilities that will arise later. It's important not to confuse the two.

What's the difference between "outstanding obligations" and "unmet responsibilities"?

While similar, "outstanding obligations" often implies a more formal or contractual duty, especially in financial contexts, while "unmet responsibilities" can be broader and include moral or personal duties.