/ɔ.bli.ʒe/
Translation
to force, to oblige
Word origin
From Latin obligare ('to bind, to tie up'), from ob ('to, towards') plus ligare ('to bind'). The same root gives English 'oblige' and 'ligature'.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- obligare
- English cognates
- oblige, ligature
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular -er conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | oblige | obligais | obligai | obligerai | obligerais |
| tu | obliges | obligais | obligas | obligeras | obligerais |
| il/elle | oblige | obligait | obliga | obligera | obligerait |
| nous | obligons | obligions | obligâmes | obligerons | obligerions |
| vous | obligez | obligiez | obligâtes | obligerez | obligeriez |
| ils/elles | obligent | obligaient | obligèrent | obligeront | obligeraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | oblige | obligasse |
| tu | obliges | obligasses |
| il/elle | oblige | obligât |
| nous | obligions | obligassions |
| vous | obligiez | obligassiez |
| ils/elles | obligent | obligassent |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tu | oblige |
| nous | obligons |
| vous | obligez |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- obligant
- Past participle
- obligé · obligée · obligés · obligées
Examples
l' ' .
We cannot force him to come if he does not want to.
.
The rain forced us to stay at home.
.
I am obliged to leave before the end of the film.
' .
Nobody is forcing you to accept this job.
.
The rules oblige them to wear a helmet.
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
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obliger: worksheet, infographic and listicle
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 18.