We are obliged to state that

Grammatically, it’s quite stiff. You start with the subject (usually we in a corporate context), followed by the verb are, then the participle obliged, the infinitive to state, and finally the conjunction that. What follows that is the cold, hard fact. For example: We are obliged to state that your interest rate is changing. You don't usually use this for happy news. You wouldn't say, We are obliged to state that you won the lottery! unless the lottery was run by the most boring person on Earth. It’s for disclosures, disclaimers, and 'fine print' moments.

This phrase lives at the very top of the formality scale. It’s so formal it probably drinks tea with its pinky finger out. You will find it in legal documents, formal business letters, and official government announcements. You will almost never hear it spoken aloud unless someone is reading from a prepared script, like a flight attendant during a safety briefing or a CEO during an annual general meeting. In a casual setting, using this would make you sound like you’ve been replaced by an AI—which might be funny once, but would get weird quickly. If you say this to your barista while ordering coffee, they might think you're filming a prank video.

Think about the last time you downloaded a software update. Somewhere in that massive wall of text, there was likely a sentence starting with we are obliged to state that. Or consider a job interview on Zoom where the recruiter has to read a legal disclaimer about recording the session. They might sigh, look at their notes, and say, "Before we begin, we are obliged to state that this call is being recorded for quality purposes." It’s also common in financial reports. "We are obliged to state that past performance is not indicative of future results." Translation: "We did well last year, but don't come crying to us if you lose money tomorrow!"

You should use this when you are representing an organization and need to make a formal disclosure. It’s perfect for the start of a contract, a formal response to a legal inquiry, or an official company announcement regarding policies. It’s the right choice when you want to distance yourself personally from the information. By saying we are obliged, you are telling the recipient, "The rules made me do it." It provides a professional buffer that protects you from being seen as the person who personally decided to deliver the news.

Never use this in a text message to a friend unless you are being extremely sarcastic. If you text your best friend, "We are obliged to state that I will be five minutes late for dinner," they will probably ask if you've joined a cult or been kidnapped by a law firm. Also, avoid it in internal team chats like Slack or Discord. It’s too heavy and impersonal. In those cases, just say "I have to let you know" or "Quick heads-up." This phrase is for the 'big' moments where legal clarity matters more than being friendly.

A common slip-up is forgetting the to or using the wrong preposition.

Another mistake is using it for simple requests.

Unless the salt-passing is part of a complex international treaty, keep it simple! Also, don't confuse obliged with obligated. While they are similar, obliged is more common in British English and often carries a slight nuance of social or legal 'binding,' whereas obligated is very common in American English for legal duties. Both work, but obliged sounds a bit more classic.

If we are obliged to state that feels a bit too 'old-school' for you, there are other ways to say it. We are required to inform you that is a very popular modern alternative. It sounds just as official but slightly less Victorian. It is our duty to state that is another one, though it sounds a bit more dramatic—like something a captain would say on a sinking ship. In a slightly less formal business email, you might see Please be advised that. This is the 'lite' version of our phrase. It still says "listen up," but without the heavy legal chains.

Is it the same as 'we have to say'? Yes, in meaning, but not in feeling. 'We have to say' is what you tell your mom; we are obliged to state that is what you tell a judge. Can I use it in an email? Yes, if the email is a formal notification to a client or a public group. Should I use 'I' instead of 'we'? Only if you are a solo practitioner, like a lawyer or a consultant. In most cases, we represents the company or the legal entity. Does it make me sound mean? Not necessarily, but it does make you sound very serious. Use it sparingly!