social obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

"social obligation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to a moral or ethical duty that an individual has towards society or their community. An example of using "social obligation" in a sentence could be, "As a responsible citizen, it is my social obligation to volunteer at the local food bank and help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Relieve the crushing social obligation.

The New York Times

"There is a social obligation for corporations," Kersmo said.

The New Yorker

It's a never-ending cycle of social obligation".

The New Yorker

"The industry has the moral and the social obligation to fix this problem," Mr. Gascón said.

The New York Times

Yet, if anything, the social obligation to be a hands-on Superdad is greater than ever.

The New York Times

China has the wherewithal to make the bold reforms to meet this basic social obligation.

The New York Times

But it was also a family that shunned ostentation and put a premium on social obligation.

The New York Times

The Statute of Winchester of 1285 codified the system of social obligation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sanity seems not to be an entirely random or stupid social obligation, but never mind.

The New Yorker

They want their mouths to prove that eternal youth is a social obligation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The argument must be about how to connect social obligation and fiscal innovation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about businesses, consider using "social obligation" to frame a company's responsibilities beyond profit, such as environmental protection or community support.

Common error

Avoid framing personal preferences as "social obligations". A "social obligation" is a duty generally recognized and expected within a community, not simply something one feels personally inclined to do.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social obligation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a duty or responsibility arising from one's membership in a society. Ludwig examples confirm its use in discussions of corporate ethics, citizenship, and community well-being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "social obligation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the duties and responsibilities individuals or organizations have towards society. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly found in news media, scientific articles, and formal business contexts, highlighting its relevance across various fields. When using this phrase, it's important to distinguish it from personal preferences and ensure that it accurately reflects widely recognized social expectations. Alternatives such as "societal duty" or "community responsibility" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obligation to society

Rephrases the core concept with a slightly different structure.

Societal duty

Emphasizes the duties imposed by society.

Duty to community

Highlights the duty to the community.

Community responsibility

Highlights the responsibility towards the community.

Civic duty

Focuses on duties related to citizenship.

Moral imperative

Highlights the morally compelling nature of the obligation.

Ethical responsibility

Emphasizes the ethical dimension of the responsibility.

Public responsibility

Focuses on the responsibility towards the public.

Responsibility to others

Broader phrase encompassing responsibility to other people.

Social contract

Implies an agreement (often tacit) to fulfill certain obligations within a society.

FAQs

How to use "social obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "social obligation" to describe duties that individuals or organizations have towards society. For example: "Companies have a "social obligation" to reduce their carbon footprint." or "Voting is a "social obligation" of every citizen."

What's the difference between "social obligation" and "social responsibility"?

"Social obligation" refers to duties that are often legally or ethically expected by society, whereas "social responsibility" implies a broader commitment to acting in ways that benefit society, often exceeding basic obligations.

What are examples of "social obligations"?

Examples of "social obligations" include obeying laws, paying taxes, respecting the rights of others, and contributing to the well-being of the community. In some contexts, "civic duty" can also be a social obligation.

What can I say instead of "social obligation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "societal duty", "community responsibility", or "civic duty". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.