unforeseen obligations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen obligations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to responsibilities or duties that were not anticipated or expected. Example: "Due to unforeseen obligations, I will not be able to attend the meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Capital adequacy is the availability of funds necessary for a company to meet its foreseen as well as unforeseen obligations both short term and long term.

Managing Enterprise Risk What the Electric Industry Experience Implies for Contemporary Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Or if an employee wanted to swap shifts with another employee because of a family commitment or unforeseen obligation, the employer would be punished for trying to facilitate such a request.

Huffington Post

I accept!'" I'm wondering if Winkler can work his way up to knighthood if he performs enough chivalrous deeds, or if his OBE might harbour hidden obligations: a call to arms at some unforeseen flare-up of the Crusades, for instance.

The Guardian

It found that the change of circumstances did not radically transform the obligations still to be performed in order to accomplish the project, or were not unforeseen, or did not relate to matters that constituted an essential basis of the consent of the parties to be bound by the treaty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unforeseen events were everywhere.

The New York Times

Unforeseen events occur.

The New Yorker

"That's unforeseen.

The New York Times - Sports

An unforeseen crisis?

The Guardian

But others were unforeseen.

The New York Times

Yet another unforeseen complication!

The New Yorker

Probably should be "unforeseen".

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unforeseen obligations", ensure the context clearly establishes that the obligations were genuinely not predictable or anticipated. Avoid using it for poorly planned events.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen obligations" as a generic excuse. Be specific about the nature of the obligation and why it was unforeseen to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen obligations" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unforeseen" modifies the noun "obligations". It typically serves to describe a situation where unexpected duties or responsibilities have arisen. Ludwig AI highlights this usage in examples demonstrating availability of funds to meet unforeseen obligations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unforeseen obligations" is a phrase used to describe unexpected responsibilities or duties. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not overly common, it is appropriate in various contexts, including formal business settings and general communication. It is crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the obligations were truly unpredictable. Alternatives such as "unexpected duties" or "emergency commitments" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. When writing, avoid vague uses and provide specifics to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen duties

Synonymous, simply replacing 'obligations' with 'duties'.

unplanned obligations

Simple replacement of “unforeseen” with “unplanned”.

unexpected duties

Focuses on the lack of anticipation of the duties themselves.

unanticipated responsibilities

Similar to "unexpected duties" but uses a broader term.

unexpected commitments

Similar to “sudden responsibilities” but using the word “commitments”.

sudden responsibilities

Emphasizes the abrupt appearance of the responsibilities.

emergency commitments

Highlights the urgent and unplanned nature of the commitments.

unanticipated liabilities

Highlights the financial aspect and lack of anticipation.

contingent liabilities

More specific to financial or legal contexts, implying potential future debts.

contingent duties

A formal term indicating duties that may arise depending on future events.

FAQs

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

You can use "unforeseen obligations" to explain why someone is unable to fulfill a previous commitment. For example: "Due to unforeseen obligations, I am unable to attend the meeting."

What is a good alternative to "unforeseen obligations"?

Alternatives include "unexpected duties", "unanticipated responsibilities", or "emergency commitments", depending on the specific context.

What does "unforeseen obligations" mean?

"Unforeseen obligations" refers to responsibilities or duties that were not anticipated or predictable in advance.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the term "unforeseen obligations"?

It is appropriate to use "unforeseen obligations" in situations where unexpected duties or responsibilities arise that genuinely could not have been planned for. This is common in both personal and professional contexts.