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Prepositions after verbs

Oblige to, by, with, in, or for?

Oblige most commonly appears with to before an action.

Quick answer

Main pattern with oblige

Use oblige someone to do something. By can introduce means in passive structures, while with, in, and for are not common fixed patterns after oblige.

The rules oblige drivers to stop.
We were obliged by law to report the incident.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
oblige + person + to + action

Forcing or requiring action

To introduces the required action.

The contract obliges employees to attend training.
2
be obliged by + rule

Showing cause or authority

By introduces the authority or cause in passive structures.

Companies are obliged by regulations to provide safety equipment.
3
be obliged to + person

Feeling grateful

Obliged can also mean thankful.

I am obliged to you for your help.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
oblige to
The law obliges citizens to pay taxes.
require someone to act
oblige by
We were obliged by company policy to leave.
show the authority or reason
oblige with
Not a standard fixed combination.
with is uncommon after oblige
oblige in
Not a common pattern after oblige.
in usually introduces context
oblige for
Uncommon as a fixed pattern.
for is not normally selected by oblige

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Missing to before the action

Oblige is normally followed by to plus infinitive.

✕ The rules oblige staff wear badges. ✓ The rules oblige staff to wear badges.

Using with after oblige

With is not the usual preposition after oblige.

✕ They obliged us with pay extra fees. ✓ They obliged us to pay extra fees.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The agreement obliges tenants ___ rent on time.
2. We were obliged ___ law to close early.
3. I am obliged ___ you for the recommendation.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the main pattern with oblige?

Oblige someone to do something.

Can obliged mean thankful?

Yes. I am obliged to you means I am grateful to you.

Is oblige with correct?

Not usually as a standard fixed combination.

obscure by, for, from, in or to? observe in, by, on, with or for? "obsess about" or "obsess over"? "obtain from" or "obtain by"? occupy by, with, in, for or at? occur in, to, at, on or during? offend by, at, in, against or with? "offer by" or "offer to"? offset by, from, with, for or against? "omit from" or "omit by"? "open in" or "open to"? operate in, by, on, at or from?

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