obliged
obliged — adjective
1. feeling that you have to do something because duty, gratitude, or the situation
feeling that you have to do something because duty, gratitude, or the situation makes refusal seem wrong or impossible.
After Roya covered her shift, Elena felt obliged to bring dinner the next night.
feel obliged to do something after receiving help
Daichi was obliged to stay late because the last train had stopped running.
be obliged to do something because circumstances leave no choice
When the mayor called for volunteers, Asher felt obliged to help at the shelter.
Lien was obliged to sign the form before the clinic could release her records.
- bound
more formal and stronger; often suggests moral duty
- duty-bound
emphasizes obligation based on conscience or role
- compelled
stronger; often suggests outside pressure rather than inner duty
文法句型
feel obliged to do something
be obliged to do something
用法筆記
Usually appears after 'be' or 'feel'. Distinguish from verb sense 1: the adjective focuses on the person's feeling of duty or necessity, while the verb names the force, law, or event that creates that pressure.
常見錯誤
2. grateful to someone for kindness or help they have given you.
grateful to someone for kindness or help they have given you.
Much obliged, officer; you saved us a long walk in the rain.
fixed phrase: much obliged
Evelyn was deeply obliged to the nurse who stayed after midnight.
be obliged to somebody for help received
We are obliged to our neighbors for feeding the cat all week.
I am much obliged to you for lending us the ladder.
- ungrateful
not showing thanks for help received
文法句型
be obliged to somebody for something
much obliged
用法筆記
This sense is mostly found in polite, slightly old-fashioned speech and writing. Unlike sense 1, it expresses thanks rather than duty, and unlike sense 3, it comes after help has already been given.
常見錯誤
3. used in formal requests to show respectful politeness, especially before asking
used in formal requests to show respectful politeness, especially before asking for help.
I would be obliged if you could email the receipt before noon.
formula: I would be obliged if ...
My aunt would be obliged if the driver waited by the side gate.
We would be obliged for a quick reply before the bank closes.
I would be obliged if your team checked the figures again tonight.
- would be grateful
modern and more neutral in everyday requests
- would appreciate it
common in email and less formal than 'would be obliged'
文法句型
I would be obliged if ...
be obliged for + noun
用法筆記
Most common in letters, official email, and careful spoken requests. It is usually first person ('I would be obliged', 'we would be obliged') and often softens a request that might otherwise sound direct.
常見錯誤
obliged — verb
1. to make someone act in a certain way because a law, duty, or situation leaves no
to make someone act in a certain way because a law, duty, or situation leaves no practical choice.
The storm obliged the ferry captain to keep everyone on shore overnight.
oblige somebody to do something because circumstances force it
A court order obliged the company to reopen the blocked entrance.
law or official order as the subject
Rising rent obliged Manuela to move farther from the market.
The broken lift obliged Ilan to carry the boxes up six floors.
文法句型
oblige somebody to do something
用法筆記
The subject is often a law, event, or practical problem rather than a person. Distinguish from adjective sense 1: the verb names the force that creates the pressure, while the adjective describes how the person feels under that pressure.
常見錯誤
2. to do someone a kindness or small service, often in answer to a request, so that
to do someone a kindness or small service, often in answer to a request, so that they owe you thanks.
When the crowd asked for another tune, the violinist gladly obliged.
intransitive use after a request
The hotel clerk obliged us with a fan during the power cut.
oblige somebody with something
Old Mr. Huang obliged his niece by driving her to the station.
Could you oblige me with ten quiet minutes after the meeting?
- accommodate
more neutral; often about fitting someone's needs
- assist
more modern and direct; lacks the polite old-fashioned tone
- indulge
suggests granting a wish, sometimes a spoiling one
- refuse
to decline the request instead of helping
文法句型
oblige somebody with something
oblige somebody by doing something
gladly oblige
用法筆記
This sense is formal and somewhat old-fashioned. It is common in fixed phrases such as 'happy to oblige', and it differs from verb sense 1 because it describes helping willingly, not forcing someone.