a historic responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a historic responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant duty or obligation that has important implications for history or future events. Example: "As leaders of our nations, we have a historic responsibility to promote peace and cooperation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"Europe faces a historic responsibility".

The New York Times

He has a historic responsibility over whether this part of central Europe is divided or united.

The Guardian

"This is a historic responsibility," he said with the flags of France and Europe behind him.

The New York Times

"We're not here to start a war of the sexes, we have a historic responsibility to accelerate the path towards equality".

The Guardian

"We realise we have a historic responsibility to get this right, we are genuinely inclusive," Said Ferjani, who sits on the Ennahda politburo, told me.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an article in the newspaper Bild am Sonntag, Mr. Westerwelle wrote that Germany had "a historic responsibility for the people of Israel" and underscored the similarities between the countries as democracies as well as the history between their peoples.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The leaders of the world's largest economies have an historic opportunity — and an historic responsibility — to reduce the trust deficit.

The New York Times

"I think that the US has an historic responsibility to provide refuge for as many people as we can … It's a very American ideal," he said.

The Guardian

There is no disputing that we have an historic responsibility: during early industrialisation here in Europe and, of course, in America as well, we undoubtedly contributed significantly to the problems we face today.

European Parliament

"The death of Father Hamel has given us a responsibility and a historic duty to continue his work in peace," Otmane Aissaoui, imam of the Ar-Rahma mosque in Nice, told Agence France-Presse.

The Guardian

The sleight of hand has not gone unnoticed by other countries and if Europe continues to fail to pull its weight it will be impossible to win the support of developing countries who rightly point out we have a massive historic responsibility to lead the way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you are working with a text that have gender-neutral language, consider to use an alternative like "shared responsibility" in order to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "a historic responsibility" for everyday tasks or minor duties. This phrase carries significant weight and is best reserved for situations with genuine historical implications or long-lasting consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a historic responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a duty or obligation that has considerable importance and long-term implications. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable in written English and is used to describe significant duties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a historic responsibility" is a noun phrase used to describe a duty or obligation with significant and lasting implications. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news and formal contexts, emphasizing the importance and long-term consequences of actions. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the gravity of the situation and avoid overuse in trivial contexts. Consider alternatives like "a weighty obligation" or "a momentous duty" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a momentous duty

Substitutes "responsibility" with "duty" and "historic" with "momentous" to highlight the importance of the task.

a weighty obligation

Replaces "responsibility" with "obligation" and uses "weighty" to emphasize the seriousness of the duty.

an epochal task

Replaces "historic" with "epochal" to emphasize the scale and lasting impact of the task.

a landmark obligation

Highlights that the obligation has an importance and can be remembered over time

a seminal undertaking

Emphasizes the groundbreaking and influential nature of the endeavor.

a major commitment

Highlights the dedication and effort required by the responsibility.

a significant burden

Emphasizes the demanding aspect of the responsibility, framing it as a "burden" instead.

a defining challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and importance of overcoming a specific challenge.

a crucial undertaking

Focuses on the action and importance of the task, rather than the obligation itself.

a pivotal role

Shifts the focus to the importance of someone's function in a particular context, highlighting the impact their actions have.

FAQs

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

You can use "a historic responsibility" to describe a duty that has significant implications for future events. For example: "The leaders felt they had "a historic responsibility" to ensure peace."

What are some alternatives to "a historic responsibility"?

Alternatives include "a weighty obligation", "a momentous duty", or "a significant burden", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a historic responsibility"?

It is appropriate to use "a historic responsibility" when referring to a duty or obligation that carries significant weight and has lasting implications, often related to major events or societal changes.

What is the difference between "a historic responsibility" and "a major responsibility"?

"A major responsibility" implies a task of considerable importance, while "a historic responsibility" suggests that the task is not only important but also has a lasting impact on history or future events.