Cool MateObligation vs Sense of responsibility
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Obligation
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Sense of responsibility
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Obligation
| Obligation | Sense of responsibility | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃn/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //sɛns ɒv rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti//🇺🇸 //sɛns əv rɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪləti// |
| Meaning | Something you must do; a duty or responsibility. | The feeling that you should take care of things. |
| Example | She felt a strong obligation to help her friends in need. | She showed a strong sense of responsibility when she completed the project ahead of schedule. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | contractual, legal, statutory, carry out, discharge, fulfil/fulfill, arise from something, under an obligation, without obligation, obligation of, contractual, legal, statutory, carry out, discharge, fulfil/fulfill, arise from something, under an obligation, without obligation, obligation of | develop a sense of responsibility, have a sense of responsibility, sense of responsibility towards others, instill a sense of responsibility, grow a sense of responsibility |
| Antonyms | freedom, option, choice | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'obligated' — remember 'obligation' is the noun., Using 'obligation' with incorrect prepositions — typically used with 'to' (e.g., obligation to pay)., Overusing in casual speech — more common in formal contexts. | Confused with 'sense of obligation', which implies being forced to act., Often used without context, making the meaning unclear., Incorrectly used as a noun instead of a phrase. |
| Usage notes | Use 'obligation' in both formal and informal contexts when discussing responsibilities or duties. It's appropriate in legal, academic, or personal situations but less common in casual conversations. | Commonly used in discussions about duty, accountability, and personal ethics. Suitable in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Obligation vs Sense of responsibility
What's the difference between Obligation and Sense of responsibility?
Obligation: Something you must do; a duty or responsibility. Sense of responsibility: The feeling that you should take care of things.
Which is more common: Obligation and Sense of responsibility?
Obligation is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Obligation: She felt a strong obligation to help her friends in need. Sense of responsibility: She showed a strong sense of responsibility when she completed the project ahead of schedule.
Can I use Obligation and Sense of responsibility interchangeably?
Not always. Obligation and Sense of responsibility are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.