oblige
oblige — verb
1. to require someone to act in a particular way because a law, rule, duty, or set
to require someone to act in a particular way because a law, rule, duty, or set of circumstances leaves them no real choice.
The new tax law obliges every freelancer in Taipei to file quarterly returns.
oblige + sb + to-infinitive (legal duty)
Heavy snow obliged the climbers to abandon their summit attempt by noon.
circumstances as subject forcing an action
Mei was obliged to attend her grandmother's funeral, even though her flight was canceled.
The contract obliges the builder to finish the kitchen before the family moves in.
After the fire, the school was obliged to find new classrooms for two hundred children.
- 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
2. to do a small favor or kind act for someone, often something they have politely
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.
When the children asked Mr. Patel for one more song, he happily obliged.
intransitive: oblige used alone after a request
The waiter obliged us with extra napkins and a fresh pot of tea.
oblige sb with sth (small favor)
Could you oblige me by closing the window? The wind keeps blowing my papers off the desk.
The famous chef obliged the young fans by signing every menu they pushed across the counter.
Grandma always obliges when the twins beg for one more bedtime story.
- 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
- 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.