a fundamental responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing essential duties or obligations that are considered crucial in a particular context. Example: "As a leader, it is a fundamental responsibility to ensure the well-being of your team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

National security is a fundamental responsibility of government.

The New York Times

Public safety is a fundamental responsibility of government everywhere.

The New York Times

Our government also pays for public safety as a fundamental responsibility.

The New York Times

Adult protection of that child from harm is a fundamental responsibility.

The New York Times

Can they provide support to religious troops of all faiths, a fundamental responsibility for chaplains?

The New York Times

"Keeping our air clean must be a priority and must be viewed as a fundamental responsibility.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Of course, adjustment between the two might be difficult to manage, but the risk to differ and to develop new fields and hypotheses are also a fundamental duty and responsibility of research communities.

Triple Helix

I think this is a very fundamental responsibility.

The New York Times

At the same time, though, the reciprocal of that freedom is an equally fundamental responsibility.

Huffington Post

He told the defence secretary that consultation with Congress "is not supposed to be an option but a longstanding and fundamental responsibility" of government officials.

The Guardian

It is still part of a parent's fundamental responsibility to protect children".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fundamental responsibility", ensure the context clearly establishes who holds this responsibility and what specific actions it entails. For instance, "Ensuring data privacy is "a fundamental responsibility" of tech companies" clarifies both the actor and the action.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental responsibility" to describe tasks that are routine or secondary. This phrase should be reserved for duties that are truly essential and impactful. For example, calling checking emails "a fundamental responsibility" is likely an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental responsibility" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies or describes an essential duty, obligation, or task. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental responsibility" is a noun phrase used to describe an essential duty or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It commonly appears in News & Media, Formal & Business and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines who holds the responsibility and the specific actions involved. Avoid using it for tasks that are routine or insignificant. Consider alternatives like "a core responsibility" or "a basic duty" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a core responsibility

Replaces "fundamental" with "core", emphasizing the central importance of the responsibility.

a basic duty

Substitutes "responsibility" with "duty", focusing on the obligatory aspect.

an essential obligation

Emphasizes the necessity of the obligation.

a key responsibility

Highlights the significance of the responsibility.

a primary obligation

Focuses on the obligation being of utmost importance.

a central duty

Highlights the duty being a focal point.

a crucial responsibility

Indicates that the responsibility is critically important.

a main responsibility

Suggests that the responsibility is a primary concern.

a principal duty

Replaces "responsibility" with "duty" and "fundamental" with "principal", indicating a leading obligation.

a paramount obligation

Emphasizes the supreme importance of the obligation.

FAQs

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

You can use "a fundamental responsibility" to highlight an essential duty or obligation. For example, "Protecting citizens is "a fundamental responsibility" of the government".

What are some alternatives to "a fundamental responsibility"?

You can use alternatives such as "a core responsibility", "a basic duty", or "an essential obligation" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the fundamental responsibility" instead of "a fundamental responsibility"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the fundamental responsibility" implies there's a specific, already-defined responsibility, while "a fundamental responsibility" refers to one among several essential duties.

What's the difference between "a fundamental responsibility" and "a legal obligation"?

"A legal obligation" is enforced by law, whereas ""a fundamental responsibility"" may be ethical or moral, even if not legally mandated.