your obligation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "your obligation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a duty or responsibility that someone has towards something or someone else. Example: "It is your obligation to complete the project by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And that, if they knew that their client intended to do something wrong, "your obligation to keep matters confidential is overwhelmed by your knowledge of a future crime".

The New Yorker

Even overstating the case, it sounds as if it is your obligation to exercise.

The New York Times - Health

That will be your obligation.

The New Yorker

NE Your obligation is to the story.

The Guardian - Books

Your obligation is to avoid being deceptive.

The New York Times - Magazine

Fulfill your obligation by establishing Khilafah," meaning the caliphate.

The New York Times

It was your obligation to clean up the inefficiency.

The New Yorker

Your obligation is to pay them a timely wage.

The New York Times

It was indeed your obligation to pay the E.R. bill.

The New York Times - Magazine

There are, of course, limits to your obligation.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They ask, 'Isn't your obligation as a human being separate from your obligation as a journalist?' " he said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "your obligation" to clearly and directly state someone's duty or responsibility in formal or informal contexts. Ensure the context clarifies to whom or what the obligation is owed.

Common error

Avoid using "your obligation" when describing a preference or suggestion. "Obligation" implies a duty that must be fulfilled, not merely a recommended action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "your obligation" functions as a noun phrase specifying a duty or responsibility that belongs to the person being addressed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used in written English. Examples show it defining legal, ethical, or social duties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "your obligation" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote a duty or responsibility that belongs to someone. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in News & Media sources, with a generally neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines to whom or what the obligation is owed. While effective for stating duties, consider alternative phrases such as "your duty" or "your responsibility" for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

your duty

Replaces "obligation" with "duty", a direct synonym, maintaining the possessive pronoun.

your responsibility

Substitutes "obligation" with "responsibility", another close synonym, preserving the possessive pronoun.

your commitment

Replaces "obligation" with "commitment", highlighting a sense of dedication.

what you must do

Rephrases the obligation as a necessary action, using more descriptive language.

your required action

Emphasizes the compulsory nature of the action, using "required" instead of implying duty.

your imperative

Highlights the urgent or crucial nature of the obligation.

something you're bound to do

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate the obligatory nature.

your onus

Replaces "obligation" with "onus", referring to a burden or responsibility.

it's up to you to

Shifts the focus to personal agency in fulfilling the obligation.

what's expected of you

Focuses on external expectations and requirements.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "your obligation" in a sentence?

Use "your obligation" to clearly define a responsibility or duty someone has. For example, "It is "your obligation" to report any safety violations immediately."

What are some alternatives to "your obligation"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "your duty", "your responsibility", or "what you must do" instead of "your obligation".

Is "your obligation" formal or informal?

"Your obligation" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it generally carries a tone of seriousness because it implies a binding duty. For less formal contexts, consider alternatives that soften the sense of duty.

How does "your obligation" differ from "your responsibility"?

While often interchangeable, ""your obligation"" often suggests a formal or moral imperative, whereas "your responsibility" can refer to a broader range of duties, including those that are less formally binding.