abandon responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'abandon responsibility' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "He had always taken on too much responsibility, so he decided to abandon it and focus on his own wellbeing instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We should care for our children with the same excitement we exhibit when bringing them into the world and not abandon responsibility to donors and international agencies.

The Guardian

It is not my style to abandon responsibility at a difficult time, even if it would perhaps be simpler or understandable in terms of human disappointment".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Like Romney and Paul, in abandoning responsibility for the past they also surrender plausibility in the present.

The Guardian - Opinion

Agents also used to be regulated by the world governing body for soccer, until it abandoned responsibility for settling the interminable disputes.

The New York Times - Sports

But the judge of the district court here, Kim Sang Kyun, told Mr. Chey that he had "damaged trust" and "abandoned responsibility for developing the country's capitalism and market economy".

The New York Times

And while most of them seem to be decent and caring individuals, their willingness to abandon any responsibility or obligation toward others verges on the sociopathic.

Huffington Post

Teachers abandon their responsibility by joining competitively in the fray.

The New York Times - Tech

Union leaders have vigorously fought charter schools, which they consider privatization of public schools and a way for school districts to abandon their responsibility to children.

The New York Times

"Simply arriving at moments of appointment and then looking to see who might or might not, by a process of amounting to chance, have suitable preparation and gifting, is to abandon all responsibility," Mr Welby wrote in support of the Green report.

The Economist

When he was asked if there is a role for parents in making policy decisions, he responded by saying, "I do, I think there is an important consultive role," before adding: "But I don't think you can abandon your responsibility to make the decisions by saying well, that group or this group make those decisions".

The New York Times

"When fathers are absent, when they abandon their responsibility to their children, we know the damage that does to our families," Mr. Obama told teenagers and community leaders in the East Room of the White House, beginning what he called a "national conversation on responsible fatherhood and healthy families".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "abandon responsibility", ensure the context clearly indicates who is abandoning the responsibility and what the specific responsibility entails. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "abandon responsibility" in overly general statements without specifying the area of responsibility. For example, instead of saying "the company abandoned responsibility", specify "the company abandoned its responsibility for environmental safety."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abandon responsibility" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the act of relinquishing or ceasing to fulfill a duty. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and general suitability for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "abandon responsibility" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of giving up or neglecting a duty or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and general suitability. While not extremely common, it appears in a range of sources, particularly within news and media contexts. Related phrases like "shirk responsibility" and "evade responsibility" offer nuanced alternatives. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is abandoning the responsibility and what that responsibility entails. Overly broad statements should be avoided to provide more precise and meaningful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shirk responsibility

Implies avoiding or neglecting responsibility, often due to laziness or unwillingness.

evade responsibility

Suggests skillfully escaping from or avoiding responsibility, often implying dishonesty.

dodge responsibility

Similar to evade, but suggests a more abrupt or reactive avoidance.

relinquish responsibility

Indicates a formal or voluntary surrender of responsibility.

abdicate responsibility

Suggests a complete and often irresponsible abandonment of duty, particularly by someone in power.

forsake responsibility

Implies a complete and often permanent abandonment of responsibility, often with a sense of betrayal.

renounce responsibility

A formal declaration of abandoning responsibility, often in a legal or official context.

neglect responsibility

Suggests a failure to properly attend to or fulfill one's responsibilities.

walk away from responsibility

A more colloquial expression suggesting a casual or indifferent abandonment of responsibility.

duck responsibility

A more informal way to say 'avoid responsibility'.

FAQs

What does it mean to "abandon responsibility"?

To "abandon responsibility" means to give up or cease to fulfill a duty or obligation. It implies a conscious decision to no longer be accountable for something.

What are some synonyms for "abandon responsibility"?

Synonyms for "abandon responsibility" include "shirk responsibility", "evade responsibility", and "relinquish responsibility", each with slightly different connotations.

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

Example: "The government was accused of "abandoning responsibility" for public health by cutting funding to key programs." Another Example: "He chose to "abandon responsibility" and travel the world."

Is "abandon responsibility" a formal or informal phrase?

"Abandon responsibility" is a relatively neutral phrase that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "relinquish responsibility" might be preferred in certain professional settings.