social obligations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "social obligations" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to the duties or responsibilities that a person has towards others in society, such as attending social events or helping others in need. Example: "As a CEO, I have many social obligations, including attending networking events and supporting local charities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But social obligations beckoned.

The New York Times

What of social obligations and solidarities?

Stanford University

But arguments based on social obligations are curiously double-edged.

The Economist

Overwork can include professional, family, and social obligations.

Harvard University

Anglo-Saxon companies have often willingly taken on social obligations without the prompting of government.

The Economist

He said he wanted to drop from the constitution a clause imposing social obligations on entrepreneurs.

The Economist

"If you failed to meet those social obligations, it would really impact your place in society".

The New Yorker

All that's expected of her is to have babies and fulfill social obligations.

The New York Times

As a filmmaker best known for kitsch-violent films, Tarantino doesn't have many social obligations.

Independent

Some games involve social obligations, where players have to work together.

The Economist

"And that's really what gift-giving is about: fulfilling social obligations".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of one's role in society, use "social obligations" to convey the expected behaviors and duties associated with that role.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences to suggest "social obligations" are entirely optional based on personal preference. They represent expectations, not merely suggestions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social obligations" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing expected duties, responsibilities, or commitments within a social context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "social obligations" refers to the duties and responsibilities that individuals or entities have towards society. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When writing, it's best to use this phrase to accurately convey expected behaviors, and avoid implying that these obligations are merely optional. Consider using synonyms like "social duties" or "societal expectations" for variety. The prevalence of "social obligations" across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist underscores its relevance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social duties

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of social responsibilities.

societal expectations

Focuses on the expectations imposed by society.

community responsibilities

Highlights responsibilities towards the community.

civic duties

Relates to the duties of a citizen within a society.

social commitments

Stresses the aspect of being bound by social agreements.

interpersonal responsibilities

Focuses on responsibilities in interpersonal relationships.

cultural expectations

Emphasizes expectations dictated by cultural norms.

conventional duties

Implies duties based on accepted social conventions.

customary demands

Refers to demands that are typical or expected in a social setting.

ethical expectations

Underlines the moral component of social expectations.

FAQs

How do I use "social obligations" in a sentence?

You can use "social obligations" to describe the duties a person or entity has towards society. For example: "Attending community events is one of my "social obligations"".

What's a good synonym for "social obligations"?

Alternatives include "social duties", "societal expectations", or "community responsibilities" depending on the context.

Are "social obligations" optional?

While the degree to which one fulfills their "social obligations" can vary, they generally represent expected behaviors and duties within a community or society, rather than purely optional actions.

How do "social obligations" differ from legal requirements?

"Social obligations" are expectations based on social norms and values, whereas legal requirements are enforced by law. Failing to meet "social obligations" might result in social disapproval, while failing to meet legal requirements can lead to legal penalties.