---
title: obliged — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «obliged» in the school dictionary: Obliged means having to do something because of a rule, law or duty. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# obliged

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** I, they, your, She, shopkeeper · **What happens:** oblige, mean, have, do, be, ask · **To what, where:** something, you, someone, seat belt, We, school uniform · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«obliged» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [obliged in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/obliged.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Obliged means having to do something because of a rule, law or duty.

<!-- fold The tree, 13 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:m1:1
# text = Obliged means having to do something because of a rule, law or duty.
1	Obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	having	have	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	ccomp	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	5	obj	_	_
7	because	because	ADP	IN	ExtPos=ADP	10	case	_	_
8	of	of	ADP	IN	_	7	fixed	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
12	law	law	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	nmod	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	duty	duty	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **have** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **do** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  | because a rule  law or duty | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

<!-- .note -->
The example in this meaning, parsed on its own:

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
You are obliged to wear a seat belt.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:m1e:1
# text = You are obliged to wear a seat belt.
1	You	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	wear	wear	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	seat	seat	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	belt	belt	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | present · passive |  | You |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: subject=Patient clause=Result |
| 2 | **wear** | to-infinitive |  | a seat belt |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent belt=Theme |

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Obliged means thankful: «I'm much obliged to you.».

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:m2:1
# text = Obliged means thankful: «I'm much obliged to you.».
1	Obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	thankful	thankful	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
4	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
5	«	«	PUNCT	``	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	9	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	'm	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	9	aux	_	_
8	much	much	ADV	RB	_	9	advmod	_	_
9	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	2	parataxis	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	11	case	_	_
11	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	»	»	PUNCT	''	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  | thankful *property* | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **oblige** *in a quote* | present · passive | I |  | you |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: verb — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To oblige someone is to help them by doing what they ask.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:m3:1
# text = To oblige someone is to help them by doing what they ask.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	oblige	oblige	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	advcl	_	_
3	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	2	obj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	help	help	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	by	by	SCONJ	IN	_	9	mark	_	_
9	doing	do	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	advcl	_	_
10	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	9	obj	_	_
11	they	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	nsubj	_	_
12	ask	ask	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	10	acl:relcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | to-infinitive |  | someone |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent someone=Patient |
| 2 | **is** | present |  |  |  |  |  | help *property* | tree rules |
| 3 | **do** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent what=Eventuality |
| 4 | **ask** *speech: ask* | present | they |  |  |  |  |  | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We are obliged to wear school uniform.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:x1:1
# text = We are obliged to wear school uniform.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	nsubj	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	wear	wear	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	school	school	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	compound	_	_
7	uniform	uniform	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | present · passive |  | We |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: subject=Patient clause=Result |
| 2 | **wear** | to-infinitive |  | school uniform |  |  |  |  | vn wipe\_manner-10.4.1-1 «NP V NP.theme»: agent=Agent uniform=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Drivers are obliged to stop at a red light.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:x2:1
# text = Drivers are obliged to stop at a red light.
1	Drivers	driver	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj:pass	_	_
2	are	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	stop	stop	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	at	at	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	red	red	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	light	light	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | present · passive |  | Drivers |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: subject=Patient clause=Result |
| 2 | **stop** | to-infinitive |  |  |  | a red light |  |  | vn lodge-46 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme at light=Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
(formal) I'm much obliged for your help.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:x3:1
# text = (formal) I'm much obliged for your help.
1	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	2	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	formal	formal	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	2	punct	_	_
4	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	7	nsubj	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	'm	be	AUX	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
6	much	much	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
7	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part	2	conj	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	10	nmod:poss	_	_
10	help	help	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | present · passive | I |  |  |  |  | for your help | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **help** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom help «act transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She felt obliged to say yes.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:x4:1
# text = She felt obliged to say yes.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	felt	feel	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	2	xcomp	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	say	say	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	yes	yes	INTJ	UH	Polarity=Pos	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **feel** | past | She |  |  |  |  |  | vn conjecture-29.5-2 «NP V that S»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 2 | **oblige** | participle | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Result |
| 3 | **say** *speech: assert* | to-infinitive | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1-1 «NP V NP.topic»: agent=Agent yes=Topic |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The shopkeeper kindly obliged and gave us a box.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:x5:1
# text = The shopkeeper kindly obliged and gave us a box.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	shopkeeper	shopkeeper	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	kindly	kindly	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	conj	_	_
7	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	iobj	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	box	box	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | past | the shopkeeper |  |  |  |  | kindly *property* | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **give** | past | the shopkeeper *not said here* | a box | us |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent we=Recipient box=Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Nobody is obliged to come to the party.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:x6:1
# text = Nobody is obliged to come to the party.
1	Nobody	nobody	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Neg	3	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux:pass	_	_
3	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	come	come	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
8	party	party	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | present · passive |  | Nobody |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: subject=Patient clause=Result |
| 2 | **come** | to-infinitive |  |  |  | the party |  |  | vn escape-51.1-1 «NP V PP.initial\_location»: agent=Theme to party=Initial\_Location |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
And he was obliged to go accordingly.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:obliged:x7:1
# text = And he was obliged to go accordingly.
1	And	and	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
2	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	obliged	oblige	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	go	go	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	_
7	accordingly	accordingly	ADV	RB	_	6	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **oblige** | past · passive |  | he |  |  |  |  | vn compel-59.1-1 «NP V NP S\_INF»: subject=Patient clause=Result |
| 2 | **go** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | accordingly *property* | vn disappearance-48.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
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