Meaning & use
moral obligations
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“moral obligations” is a form of “moral obligation”.
Meanings
nouncountable
Duties that a person feels or is expected to perform because they are right, not because the law requires them.
Grammar: Usually plural in this general sense. The singular 'moral obligation' refers to one specific duty.
Patterns
- moral obligations to someone
- moral obligations toward someone
- have moral obligations
- feel a moral obligation to do something
We have moral obligations to our families, but also to the wider community.
The company argued that its only moral obligations were to its employees and customers.
nounsingular
A strong feeling that you must do something because it is the right thing to do.
Grammar: In this sense it is singular and often followed by 'to' plus a verb: a moral obligation to help.
Patterns
- a moral obligation to do something
- feel a moral obligation to do something
She felt a moral obligation to tell the truth, even though it would hurt her friend.
Many doctors feel a moral obligation to treat patients regardless of their ability to pay.
Word forms
| singular | moral obligation |
|---|
Common combinations
- have moral obligations
- As citizens, we have moral obligations that go beyond obeying the law.
- a moral obligation to do something
- He felt a moral obligation to help his former teacher.
- moral obligations toward
- What moral obligations do rich nations have toward poorer ones?
- meet your moral obligations
- The report asked whether the bank had met its moral obligations to customers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ethical duties
- Very close, but 'ethical' often suggests a formal code or professional rules.
- responsibilities
- A more general word; it can include practical or legal duties, not only moral ones.
Word family
- moral adjective
- Relating to right and wrong.
- obligation noun
- A duty or something you must do.
- obliged adjective
- Feeling that you must do something.
Commonly confused: moral obligations or legal obligations?
moral obligations vs legal obligations
Legal obligations are enforced by law; moral obligations are based on ideas of right and wrong and may not be legally required.
Practice
She felt a moral obligation ___ her neighbor after the accident.
Choose one answer.
The pattern is 'a moral obligation to do something', so the infinitive 'to help' is correct. 'For helping' would need a different structure, such as 'a moral duty of helping', which is not idiomatic here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “moral obligations”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.