a little responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little responsible" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used informally to suggest a slight degree of responsibility, but it is better to use it in a context where the meaning is clear. Example: "I feel a little responsible for the team's failure to meet the deadline."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I guess I feel a little responsible".

The New York Times

Nearly everyone seems to feel a little responsible for it, if only for having voted for a Mexican politician in any recent election.

The New Yorker

Those old mores are more than a little responsible for keeping women barefoot, pregnant and without a vote for nearly a century and a half after America was founded.

Huffington Post

If you're going to welcome yourself to adulthood by having an all-out crazy celebration of your self and your ability to consume the boozes legally, you have to do it with a plan for staying safe and for being a little responsible.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It just makes you look a little more responsible, and when it comes to rentals we all want responsible.

Huffington Post

As Mr. Walsh noted, "Chapter 13 is a little more responsible" way to go from the lenders' perspective, so lender guidelines are a bit more lenient.

The New York Times

"Guys have to be a little more responsible with their actions, but you've got to use any tactic to get under their skin".

The New York Times - Sports

Paul Kermizian, a co-owner, said he and his partners had gone in this direction because "we have a big electricity footprint with the video games, and felt we needed to be a little more responsible with our energy use".

The New York Times

But let's say that you're a little more responsible than that, that you can deal with a little port forwarding nonsense.

TechCrunch

I've got to be a little more responsible with the words I choose.

Huffington Post

Seeing that unexpected moment and being a little bit responsible for it was so exciting.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little responsible" to convey a mild or partial sense of accountability. However, consider stronger alternatives like "somewhat responsible" or "partially responsible" for more formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a little responsible" in professional or academic contexts where a more precise and formal expression of responsibility is required. Instead, opt for alternatives like "partially responsible" or "somewhat accountable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little responsible" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a subject to indicate a partial or mild degree of responsibility. It describes the extent to which someone feels or is considered accountable for something. According to Ludwig, this phrase is acceptable but may sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little responsible" suggests a mild or partial sense of accountability. While Ludwig identifies the phrase as acceptable, but also suggesting the phrase may sound awkward and advises caution in more formal settings. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Wiki contexts. When writing, consider whether "somewhat responsible" or "partially responsible" might be more appropriate, especially in formal settings. Using "a little responsible" correctly involves understanding its subtle implications and choosing it when a lighter touch is desired, as you acknowledge some involvement but not all.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat accountable

Indicates a degree of accountability, replacing "responsible" with "accountable".

partially liable

Replaces "responsible" with "liable", suggesting legal or formal accountability.

slightly to blame

Frames responsibility as blame, implying a negative outcome.

somewhat involved

Shifts the focus to involvement rather than direct responsibility.

marginally culpable

Uses a more formal term, "culpable", to denote a slight degree of guilt or responsibility.

a bit obligated

Suggests a sense of obligation, which is a form of responsibility.

kind of answerable

Replaces "responsible" with "answerable", implying a need to explain or justify actions.

slightly at fault

Focuses on the aspect of being at fault, implying a degree of responsibility for a negative outcome.

somewhat to be held accountable

Elaborates on the phrase to emphasize the act of holding someone accountable.

partly in charge

Suggests a degree of control or management responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a little responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "a little responsible" to express a mild sense of accountability, as in "I feel "a little responsible" for the mistake."

What are some alternatives to "a little responsible"?

Alternatives include "somewhat responsible", "partially responsible", or "slightly accountable", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to say "a little responsible" or "somewhat responsible"?

"Somewhat responsible" is generally more formal and precise, while ""a little responsible"" is more informal. Choose based on your audience and context.

What does it mean to feel "a little responsible"?

Feeling ""a little responsible"" implies that you acknowledge some degree of involvement or accountability, but not the entirety of it.