oblige

/əˈblaɪdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /əˈblaɪdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ə-ˈblīj/ (ame, mw)

oblige — 動詞

  • obligepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • obligeshe / she / it
  • obligedpast simple
  • obliging-ing form

1. to require someone to act in a particular way because a law, rule, duty, or set

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

迫使；強制

因法律或情勢使某人不得不做某事

to require someone to act in a particular way because a law, rule, duty, or set of circumstances leaves them no real choice.

例句

The new tax law obliges every freelancer in Taipei to file quarterly returns.

新的稅法強制台北每位自由工作者按季申報。

oblige + sb + to-infinitive (legal duty)

Heavy snow obliged the climbers to abandon their summit attempt by noon.

大雪迫使登山隊在中午前放棄攻頂。

circumstances as subject forcing an action

同義詞
  • compel

    stronger; suggests pressure that overrides the person's will

  • require

    neutral; common in rules, instructions, and forms

  • force

    blunter; often physical or emotional pressure rather than legal duty

反義詞
  • exempt

    to free someone from a duty that would otherwise apply

文法句型

oblige + sb + to-infinitive

be obliged to do sth

用法筆記

Frequently passive (be obliged to do sth) when the speaker wants to highlight the duty rather than who imposed it. The subject in the active voice is typically a law, contract, role, or external event — not usually a person ordering another person around.

常見錯誤

❌The teacher obliged me study late.
✅The teacher obliged me to study late.
💡'oblige' takes object + to-infinitive, never a bare infinitive.
❌I am obliged for finishing the report by Friday.
✅I am obliged to finish the report by Friday.
💡use 'to' + base verb after 'be obliged', not '-ing'.

2. to do a small favor or kind act for someone, often something they have politely

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

幫忙；應請求

依對方請求做點小事讓人開心

to do a small favor or kind act for someone, often something they have politely asked for, so that they feel pleased and a little grateful.

例句

When the children asked Mr. Patel for one more song, he happily obliged.

孩子們再請求一首歌時，帕特爾先生很樂意地照做了。

intransitive: oblige used alone after a request

The waiter obliged us with extra napkins and a fresh pot of tea.

服務生很客氣地多給了我們餐巾和一壺新茶。

oblige sb with sth (small favor)

同義詞
  • accommodate

    more neutral; emphasizes adjusting plans to suit someone

  • indulge

    suggests giving in to a wish, sometimes a self-centered one

  • humor

    informal; do what someone wants to keep them happy, even if silly

反義詞
  • refuse

    decline to do what someone has asked

文法句型

oblige sb (with sth)

oblige (intransitive)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is intransitive or takes 'with' + thing given, never 'to + infinitive' meaning duty. Often appears in slightly old-fashioned or polite contexts ('happy to oblige', 'much obliged'). The favor is usually small and easy to grant.

常見錯誤

❌She obliged me to lend her my umbrella.' (meaning she did me a favor)
✅She obliged me by lending me her umbrella.
💡sense 2 uses 'by + -ing', not 'to + infinitive'.
❌Thank you, much oblige.
✅Thank you, much obliged.
💡the fixed polite phrase is 'much obliged' (past participle).