shall be obliged

USAGE SUMMARY

"shall be obliged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to express a feeling of gratitude for something someone has done, or to express an eagerness to do something for someone. For example, "I shall be obliged if you could lend me a few dollars until I get paid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He strained the patience even of his firmest supporters such as his boss, the art historian Kenneth Clark, who was obliged to stop in an address to ministry staff to say: "Betjeman, I shall be obliged if you will remove those bicycle clips from your ears".

The Guardian - Books

"If the limits of fair play are passed once again, we shall be obliged to end our institutional relations, something we have absolutely no desire to do.

BBC

Descartes starts his Passions of the Soul (1649) by lamenting the sorry state of ancient writings on the passions, and declaring that "I shall be obliged to write just as if I were considering a topic that no one had dealt with before me" (AT XI 328, CSM I 328).

SEP

For example, Thaddeus Stevens, a leader of the disappointed Radical Republicans, said: "I find that we shall be obliged to be content with patching up the worst portions of the ancient edifice, and leaving it, in many of its parts, to be swept through by the tempests, the frosts, and the storms of despotism".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Article 41 of the constitution declared that the state shall "endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home".

The Guardian - Opinion

The Athens Stock Exchange on Friday posted extracts of a letter sent by the government to foreign finance ministers saying that Greece "shall not be obliged to proceed" unless it could get at least 90 percent of its eligible bonds swapped or rolled over.

The New York Times

The new contract also leaves the door open to raising the cap, stating, "It is further understood and agreed that should the cap be reached before the Litigation is complete, and if the cap has not been raised under the terms of this Agreement, Contractor shall not be obliged to continue providing legal services under this Agreement".

Huffington Post

They must be obliged to.

The Guardian

Researchers could be obliged to divulge information.

BMJ Open

And to be obliged to do that.

BMC Palliative Care

I don't disagree with them, though I did find the reading experience uncomfortable, especially when I bumped up against one of Cather's frequent declarations that she considers her letters "entirely personal and confidential," or her request that a correspondent "just put them in the furnace, I shall be greatly obliged to you".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shall be obliged" to express a formal sense of duty, gratitude, or future action, especially in legal, academic, or literary contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "shall" in informal contexts, as it can sound overly formal or archaic. In contemporary English, "will" is often a more appropriate choice for expressing future actions. If you're aiming for a conversational tone, consider rephrasing the sentence altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall be obliged" functions as a formal way to express a future obligation, duty, or a strong sense of gratitude. Ludwig's examples indicate use in both expressing something that must occur and expressing gratitude.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shall be obliged" serves as a formal expression of future duty, obligation, or gratitude. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is relatively uncommon in modern English, tending to appear more frequently in formal and scientific contexts than in casual conversation. Related phrases include alternatives like "will be required" or "must be done", which can provide a more accessible tone depending on the intended audience. When writing, it's best to reserve "shall be obliged" for situations requiring a high degree of formality or a sense of historical or legal precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be required

Changes the auxiliary verb to 'will', implying a future requirement rather than a sense of duty.

will be necessary

Focuses on the necessity of an action rather than the obligation to perform it.

must be done

Uses 'must' to indicate a strong obligation, simplifying the structure.

will have to

Emphasizes the future need to perform an action.

will be bound to

Suggests a legal or moral obligation.

will be compelled to

Highlights the element of coercion or necessity.

will be indebted

Shifts the focus to a feeling of gratitude for a favor.

will feel obligated

Emphasizes the subjective feeling of obligation.

will owe a debt of gratitude

More explicitly expresses owing gratitude.

it will be incumbent upon

Puts the emphasis on duty or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "shall be obliged" in a sentence?

"Shall be obliged" is used to express a sense of duty or gratitude. For example, "I "shall be obliged" if you would assist me with this task."

What are some alternatives to "shall be obliged"?

Alternatives include "will be required", "must be done", or "will be necessary", depending on the specific context.

Is "shall be obliged" formal or informal?

"Shall be obliged" is generally considered formal. In informal settings, phrases like "will have to" or "need to" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "shall be obliged" and "will be obliged"?

"Shall be obliged" expresses a stronger sense of duty or inevitability, often used in formal contexts. "Will be obliged" is a more general expression of future obligation. In modern usage, "will" is more common.