obliged

Everyday

1. Obliged means having to do something because of a rule, law or duty: You are obliged to wear a seat belt. tree →
2. (formal) Obliged means thankful: «I'm much obliged to you.» tree →
3. (verb) To oblige someone is to help them by doing what they ask. tree →

In the lessons

In formal and exam language «obliged to» means «must». In polite old-fashioned speech «Much obliged» means «Thank you very much». In safety: drivers are obliged to stop at a red light. Phrases: feel obliged to, obliged to do.

Examples

• We are obliged to wear school uniform. tree →
• Drivers are obliged to stop at a red light. tree →
• (formal) I'm much obliged for your help. tree →
• She felt obliged to say yes. tree →
• The shopkeeper kindly obliged and gave us a box. tree →
• Nobody is obliged to come to the party. tree →
• And he was obliged to go accordingly. tree →

Note

Regular verb. Noun: obligation; adjective: obligatory (formal for compulsory). «Obliged to» + verb: «obliged to go». Not the same as «grateful» in most speech, except in «much obliged».