Obligation vs This whole thing was your deal

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Obligation

Top 2,000 (common)B2noun

This whole thing was your deal

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ObligationMost common: Obligation
 ObligationThis whole thing was your deal
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˌɒblɪˈɡeɪʃn/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃn/"]/🇬🇧 //ðɪs hoʊl θɪŋ wəz jʊər diːl//🇺🇸 //ðɪs hoʊl θɪŋ wəz jʊr diːl//
MeaningSomething you must do; a duty or responsibility.This situation was your responsibility.
ExampleShe felt a strong obligation to help her friends in need.This whole thing was your deal, so you need to fix it.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationscontractual, 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 ofmake a deal, deal with it, deal breaker, big deal, deal of the day
Antonymsfreedom, option, choice-
Common mistakesConfused 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.Misusing 'deal' as in transaction instead of responsibility., Using it in overly formal conversations., Confusing with similar phrases like 'your fault'.
Usage notesUse '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.Used to emphasize accountability in a casual context among friends. Not suitable for formal situations.

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This whole thing was your deal

Frequently asked questions: Obligation vs This whole thing was your deal

What's the difference between Obligation and This whole thing was your deal?

Obligation: Something you must do; a duty or responsibility. This whole thing was your deal: This situation was your responsibility.

Which is more formal: Obligation and This whole thing was your deal?

Obligation is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Obligation and This whole thing was your deal?

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. This whole thing was your deal: This whole thing was your deal, so you need to fix it.

Can I use Obligation and This whole thing was your deal interchangeably?

Not always. Obligation and This whole thing was your deal 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.

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