prior obligations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prior obligations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to commitments or responsibilities that someone has before taking on new ones. Example: "I cannot attend the meeting tomorrow due to prior obligations that I must fulfill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The first concrete step that Obama could take would be to demand that Israel fulfill its prior obligations.

The New York Times

It will lead to an even bigger default when Portugal has to repay this new lending on top of its prior obligations".

The New York Times

The P.L.O. is ready as ever to negotiate — as long as there are clear terms of reference and the fulfillment of prior obligations, including a complete settlement freeze.

The New York Times

Fallon's prior obligations to Native Khan were not finally determined until yesterday morning, leaving John Magnier and his partners in Coolmore looking for a late replacement.

Independent

Mahmoud Nasr, an assistant to the minister of defense for financial affairs, has said $5 billion is for prior obligations, leaving only $10 billion — just enough to cover two months of imports and not enough to ensure a stable currency.

The New York Times

However, we also need to be very clear that any further negotiations must have clear terms of reference and prior obligations must be fulfilled in order to show that both parties have good-faith intentions of working toward a defined end goal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

May skipped that event, citing a prior obligation.

The Washington Post

Mr. Gore is not attending the three-day convention, which runs through Tuesday, saying he had a prior obligation.

The New York Times

Lord Phillips said that an offence under section 11 of the act was only committed if the organisers of an event failed to comply with a prior obligation to give details of an intention to hold a "public procession".

The Guardian

In Switzerland voidable preferences consist in the grant, without prior obligation to that effect, of security interests for existing debts; satisfaction of debts by other than usual means of payment; or premature payment of debts, if the respective acts were committed within six months prior to the adjudication, while the debtor was insolvent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first project is an attempt to ground political, legal and other justice-based obligations in the prior obligation to honor agreements.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When scheduling new tasks or commitments, always consider your "prior obligations" to avoid overcommitment and ensure you can fulfill existing responsibilities effectively.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating what the "prior obligations" are, especially in formal communication. Lack of clarity can lead to misunderstandings or unmet expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prior obligations" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a preposition or a subject complement, describing existing duties, commitments, or responsibilities that take precedence. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prior obligations" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to existing duties or commitments. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specify what these obligations entail to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "existing duties" or "previous commitments" can be used depending on the context. Balancing "prior obligations" with new responsibilities is essential for effective time management and fulfilling commitments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

existing duties

Focuses on the responsibilities one already has.

previous commitments

Highlights agreements or arrangements made earlier.

earlier responsibilities

Emphasizes duties from an earlier time.

pre-existing responsibilities

Stresses that the responsibilities were in place before.

outstanding liabilities

Focuses on financial or legal debts.

incumbent duties

Implies that the duties are currently in effect and binding.

prearranged engagements

Highlights scheduled events or meetings.

scheduled tasks

Refers to tasks that have been planned in advance.

primary responsibilities

Highlights duties that take precedence.

earlier agreements

Emphasizes that the obligations were agreed upon at an earlier date

FAQs

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

You can use "prior obligations" to explain why you can't accept a new task or commitment. For example, "Due to my prior obligations, I won't be able to attend the meeting."

What's a good substitute for "prior obligations"?

Alternatives include "existing duties", "previous commitments", or "earlier responsibilities", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "prior commitments" or "prior obligations"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "prior commitments" emphasizes a voluntary agreement, while "prior obligations" suggests a more formal or necessary duty. The best choice depends on the specific situation.

What's the difference between "prior obligations" and "future responsibilities"?

"Prior obligations" refer to duties you already have, while "future responsibilities" are tasks you will need to handle later. It's important to balance both to manage your time effectively.