sole obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

"sole obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a primary or single duty or responsibility. For example: "It was my sole obligation to ensure the safety of my passengers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Japan's sole obligation is to deal with the shells left in China in 1945.

The Economist

Lewis said he felt that "it was my sole obligation to never let that happen".

The New Yorker

Our sole obligation is to the well-being of the patient," he said.

The Washington Post

In the best-case scenario, I know nothing about the book, and reading it is my sole obligation.

The New York Times - Books

His former life, he now complains, was easier and more enjoyable: as a celebrity, his sole obligation was self-display.

The Guardian - Books

"Our sole obligation to readers is to write the best books that we possibly can," she says.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The state countered that its sole legal obligation was to ensure race-neutral admission standards in its plan.

The New York Times

The British ambassador to the EU, Sir John Cunliffe, in a letter to the EU parliament last month said the GCHQ chief, Sir Iain Lobban, had no obligation to answer MEPs' questions because "national security is the sole responsibility of member states".

The Guardian

In the end, they taught the people about rights rather than obligations, thus establishing the myth that Venezuela is a rich country, and that the sole duty of a good government is to distribute its wealth evenly.

The New York Times

Is the sole, identified, planned new legal obligation "to ensure... that company directors will include human rights issues in their annual reports" likely to be sufficient?

The Guardian

However, Forbes retains the right, but not the obligation in its sole discretion, to monitor, review, edit, delete or refuse to post any third-party content that Forbes deems to be objectionable or in violation of these Terms and Conditions.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole obligation", ensure the context clearly specifies who holds this responsibility and what actions it entails to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sole obligation" when the responsibility is actually shared or has dependencies. Overstating can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential failures to deliver.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole obligation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject complement or an object of a preposition. As stated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and refers to a single, primary duty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole obligation" is a grammatically sound and fairly common phrase used to highlight a single, exclusive duty or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for use in written English to emphasize accountability and focus. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and encyclopedia contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the responsible party and the scope of the duty, while avoiding overstatements about its exclusivity. Alternatives such as "only responsibility" or "primary duty" can be considered based on subtle differences in meaning. Finally, remember that like other expressions linked to the word obligation, in certain circumstances may require noblesse oblige.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only responsibility

Focuses on the aspect of the single duty.

only duty

Highlights the aspect of the single duty.

primary duty

Highlights the main responsibility someone has.

exclusive responsibility

Emphasizes that the responsibility belongs to one party alone.

single responsibility

Highlights the singular nature of the responsibility.

main responsibility

Underscores the key aspect of a given duty.

chief responsibility

Indicates the most important responsibility.

principal obligation

Emphasizes the priority and importance of the obligation.

paramount duty

Stresses the supreme importance of the duty.

unique responsibility

Focuses on the distinct and individual aspect of the responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "sole obligation" in a sentence?

You can use "sole obligation" to emphasize a unique responsibility. For example: "His "sole obligation" was to protect the package."

What are some alternatives to "sole obligation"?

Alternatives include "only responsibility", "primary duty", or "exclusive responsibility" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "only obligation" instead of "sole obligation"?

While "only obligation" is understandable, ""sole obligation"" is generally preferred for its emphasis on the singularity and exclusivity of the duty.

What's the difference between "sole obligation" and "main obligation"?

"Sole obligation" implies there are no other obligations, while "main obligation" suggests it's the most important, but other obligations might exist.