A basic responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "A basic responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a fundamental duty or obligation that is expected in a particular context. Example: "As a team member, a basic responsibility is to communicate effectively with your colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"A basic responsibility for all Samsung executives is to do illegal lobbying, buying people with money".

The New York Times

"Security of women is a basic responsibility of the state," Ms. Ghosh said, rather than something that should be addressed with a special fund.

The New York Times

McDonnell added: "There's a basic responsibility that society expects from big business – to not exploit their customers, their staff or the taxpayer.

The Guardian - Business

This feels like a basic responsibility of living in a place as culturally rich as D.C., where I've been for three years now.

The New York Times

— has been a basic responsibility of the F.E.C. almost since its inception, along with tasks like making sure the data reflect amended filings and avoid duplication of records.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama and Congressional Democrats have dug in, telling Republicans to capitulate because it is a basic responsibility of Congress to keep the government solvent and open for business.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

If a quarterback's basic responsibility is winning, Graham has the best résumé.

The New York Times - Sports

We also believe that such advisory votes represent a transfer of basic responsibility of corporate management from directors to shareholders and would subject compensation decisions to the whims of shareholders no matter how inconsistent their views may be with long-term corporate performance.

Harvard University

"The basic responsibility of a school is to enable its students to master standards and improve on their performance," he said in a written statement.

The New York Times

Say what you will about coincidences, "Tom Bedlam" demonstrates that in the hands of a writer like George Hagen, they can help fiction fulfill its most basic responsibility: to make an impossibly large and dangerous world small enough to see whole.

The New York Times - Books

Many boards of directors neglect this most basic responsibility, especially when a powerful, passionate founder is serving as executive director.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a basic responsibility" to clearly define fundamental duties within a specific role or context. For example, "Ensuring data security is "a basic responsibility" of every IT professional."

Common error

Avoid using "a basic responsibility" when describing tasks that are complex or require specialized expertise. The term implies a fundamental, straightforward duty, not a sophisticated undertaking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a basic responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI examples showcase it defining fundamental duties across contexts, like a government's duty to provide services or a citizen's duty to question authority.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a basic responsibility" is a noun phrase denoting a fundamental duty or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, though it appears with 'Uncommon' frequency. The phrase is primarily found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science sources, indicating a formal to neutral register. To ensure effective communication, use this phrase to clearly define essential duties and avoid using it for tasks requiring specialized expertise. Related phrases include "a fundamental duty" and "a core obligation", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A fundamental duty

Emphasizes the core nature of the obligation, focusing on its foundational importance.

A core obligation

Highlights the essential and non-negotiable nature of the duty.

An essential responsibility

Stresses the necessity and importance of the task.

A primary obligation

Focuses on the priority and precedence of the duty.

A key responsibility

Highlights the significance and importance of the duty.

A main duty

Simple and direct, emphasizing the principal aspect of the obligation.

A central responsibility

Highlights the centrality of the duty within a larger framework.

A critical obligation

Emphasizes the importance of the duty and its potential impact.

A vital duty

Stresses the crucial and indispensable nature of the task.

A necessary responsibility

Focuses on the unavoidable and essential nature of the obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "a basic responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "a basic responsibility" to describe a fundamental duty or obligation that someone has. For instance, "Providing customer service is "a basic responsibility" of the sales team".

What's the difference between "a basic responsibility" and "a core responsibility"?

While both terms refer to important duties, ""a basic responsibility"" implies a fundamental, straightforward task, whereas "a core responsibility" suggests a duty that is central to an organization's mission.

What can I say instead of "a basic responsibility"?

You can use alternatives such as "a fundamental duty", "an essential task", or "a key obligation" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "basic responsibilities" instead of "a basic responsibility"?

Yes, "basic responsibilities" is correct when referring to multiple fundamental duties. For example, "Following safety protocols and maintaining equipment are basic responsibilities for all employees".