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AIBU?

To think that 'obligated' is not a proper word?

32 replies

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 25/05/2016 23:43

It should be obliged, surely?

OP posts:
SchnitzelVonKrumm · 25/05/2016 23:47

It should. Obligated is a recent and horrible American import. See also controVERSY and adverTISEment

Lovewineandchocs · 25/05/2016 23:47

"As a transitive verb, one which requires an object, oblige can mean to restrict by external force or circumstances. To be obliged is to be in someone’s debt because of a favour or service. As an intransitive verb, one which does not require an object, oblige means to take action as a favour, or without reward.

A person who obliges is an obliger, though the noun form is hardly ever used.

Obligate carries a slightly different meaning, which is to force someone (or an organisation) to do something because the law or morality requires it."(The Grammarist).

SnuffleGruntSnorter · 25/05/2016 23:49

Obliged if politeness/favour requires it. Obligated if forced or demanded. I think. A subtle difference.

Happy to be corrected.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 25/05/2016 23:50

Obligated sounds very odd to me. I'd definitely always use obliged.

Somebody was telling me recently that they were convicted by a friends argument. That was one I hadn't heard before.

SnuffleGruntSnorter · 25/05/2016 23:51

Although now I think about ît I don't think ivé ever used obligated

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 25/05/2016 23:51

Actually, I wouldn't use obliged in the 'force' case - I'd probably just say "I have to".

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 25/05/2016 23:52

Hmmm. For some reason the first one makes me think of a Jane Austen character, bowing and saying "I am much obliged to you, madam".

I don't buy it though. "I don't want her to feel obligated" / "I don't want her to feel obliged". Same thing, but the second one is correct.

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WhereYouLeftIt · 25/05/2016 23:53

Is it an American import? I'm sure I've seen it in old books (Dickens, Austen or some such). And it has a subtly different meaning to 'obliged' to me too. More formal. Suggestive of contracts, with a whiff of reluctance. Whereas 'obliged' is more personal somehow, friendlier.

Orwellschild · 25/05/2016 23:55

Is a word. Albeit a reasonably recent one, fundamentally the meanings of both (obliged etc) are the same, however obligated is used more to denote necessity due to legal / moral / procedural processes etc.

Love the username, Op!

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 25/05/2016 23:57

I am obliged to you, OrwellsChild.

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quencher · 25/05/2016 23:58

Snuffle, that's what I thought. When you are obligated, you have the duty to to perform or follow through (for example a doctor is obligated to treat a patient or has the obligation to treat a patient). With oblige, it's out of goodwill. You can do it if you want to. For example, you can give to the homeless if you want to. It's not an obligation but you can be obliged to do so because it's charitable.

MadamDeathstare · 25/05/2016 23:59

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EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 26/05/2016 00:00

But that's being obliging, Quencher. Totally different. Feeling obligated and feeling obliged are the same thing, except the former is wrong American.

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Egosumquisum · 26/05/2016 00:01

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EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 26/05/2016 00:02

Ooh yes Madam. Also 'actioning', 'evidencing' and especially 'yellow carding'.

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EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 26/05/2016 00:04

It doesn't, Descartes, because the meaning is The Same!!!

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Egosumquisum · 26/05/2016 00:04

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quencher · 26/05/2016 00:05

I am obliged to you, this sounds wrong

If you oblige, you don't have to follow through. It can be a promise. Am nice so I will do this for you.

Obligated. Part of your job. Part of what your meant to do. As someone mentioned up thread, in your contract you have these obligations that you will have to adhere to.

Am sure an English teacher will come round.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 26/05/2016 00:05

I'm just waiting for "medalling" when we get to Rio...

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 26/05/2016 00:06

Sorry Ego, Latin fail Blush. You're not CogitoErgoSum. You're Gloria Gaynor.

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Egosumquisum · 26/05/2016 00:07

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AYD2MITalkTalk · 26/05/2016 00:08

I've got semantic satiation.

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Egosumquisum · 26/05/2016 00:09

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BagelGoesWalking · 26/05/2016 00:09

Elisaveta of Belasornia what a flashback to my childhood! Wonderful username Grin

EElisavetaOfBelsornia · 26/05/2016 00:10

Sorry Blush

(I wonder what did happen to Cogito, she gave me very good advice once.)

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