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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

The difference between "force" and "oblige"

Hello.

In the following sentences, what is the semantic difference between "force" and "oblige"?

a. He was obliged to work overtime without compensation.

b. He was forced to work overtime without compensation.

Thank you, as always.
  

Top answer

B sounds stronger, but the intents are the same. , that in B, it is his boss who forces him to work overtime). While this is true of 'force', that is, that we must use 'force oneself ' if it comes from within, usage shows that many competent writers ignore the limitation set on 'oblige', so that 'I was obliged by my boss', though frowned on by some grammarians, is definitely in use.

— Mister Micawber

  • B sounds stronger, but the intents are the same.
  • , that in B, it is his boss who forces him to work overtime).
  • While this is true of 'force', that is, that we must use 'force oneself ' if it comes from within, usage shows that many competent writers ignore the limitation set on 'oblige', so that 'I was obliged by my boss', though frowned on by some grammarians, is definitely in use.
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1 Answers
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B sounds stronger, but the intents are the same.

A discussion has raged on another thread about whether 'oblige' is an action that can only come from within the person (i.e., that in A, the person himself feels he must work overtime) while 'force' comes only from outside (i.e., that in B, it is his boss who forces him to work overtime).

While this is true of 'force', that is, tha
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