Question about noun + preposition

Question

Can a noun be followed by a preposition that's not mentioned/used in any dictionary? Like for example, obligation. Obligation is followed by the preposition TO, but when I asked someone about the following sentence, The letter has been issued upon her request and without any obligation on the company, he told that it's correct.

And if this could happen, how can I know if I'm using the correct preposition or not?

Dictionaries that I checked:

Cambridge, Oxford and Merriam-Webster.

Thanks!

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

Mercyful_fateCan a noun be followed by a preposition that's not mentioned/used in any dictionary?

Yes, of course. No dictionary is so complete as to contain everything.

Mercyful_fateAnd if this could happen, how can I know if I'm using the correct preposition or not?

Have your sentence checked by someone who knows English well.

CB

Coloraday · Answer

Hi Mercyful_fate, I use Oxford Collocations Dictionary in these cases, and it hasn't listed on with obligation as the preposition, either.

The usage of "obligation to" and "obligation on" is quite different and their meaning is not the same:

A lawyer owes an obligation of confidence to the client.

Which shows that the lawyer is the one who has to fulfill the commitment to the client.

- The word after the preposition here is the one that the obligation is owed to.

...the obligation on the company.

But here the company is the one which has to fullfill the obligation.

- The word after the preposition is the one which takes on the obligation.

Mercyful_fate · Answer

Thanks a lot everyone! Appreciated.

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