absence of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absence of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is not held accountable for their actions or decisions. Example: "The absence of responsibility in the organization led to numerous mistakes and a lack of accountability among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Ramsbotham concludes: "There is an absence of responsibility and accountability.

Independent

While the average age of a video-game consumer is reportedly in the mid-thirties, the industry still markets its blockbuster titles to the young, with their relative absence of responsibility, surplus of free time, and, often, more limited funds.

The New Yorker

Holding a referendum "in a state of seething and chaos," Mr. Ashour said, amounted to "a reckless and flagrant absence of responsibility, risking driving the country into violent confrontations that endanger its national security".

The New York Times

Spokesman Sameh Ashour warned that organising such a vote "in a state of seething and chaos" amounted to a "reckless and flagrant absence of responsibility, risking driving the country into violent confrontations that endanger its national security".

BBC

"I note that on the basis of a tiny number of cases of fraud and malfunctioning, which did indeed merit criticism, the committee's report paints a picture of total absence of responsibility on the part of the institution and its officials.

Science Magazine

My interactions with my patients as a medical student were so markedly different from those when I was a volunteer, the latter being a role that was marked by a complete absence of responsibility.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In my view, personal responsibility should in fact be relevant, but cannot be in the absence of cultural responsibility.

Huffington Post

Yet what disturbs me most is the absence of fiscal responsibility.

The New York Times

No doubt liberated by the absence of his responsibility to tween One Direction fans, Malik has explained that the song was about "dirty and raw" sex.

The Guardian - Music

The most striking feature of Mitt Romney as a politician is an absence of any responsibility to his own past — the consuming sense that his life and opinions can be remade at a moment's need.

The New Yorker

What drives the outrage over bonuses to the A.I.G. executives is the sense of injustice at rewards for absolute failure and the complete absence of personal responsibility by the many perpetrators in this calamity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "absence of responsibility", clearly specify who or what lacks responsibility to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "There was an absence of responsibility", specify "The company showed an absence of responsibility in its environmental policies".

Common error

Avoid using "absence of responsibility" without clearly indicating the context or area where responsibility is lacking. Without this context, the phrase can become too general and lose its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absence of responsibility" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a state or condition where accountability or duty is lacking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show it describing situations where accountability is missing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absence of responsibility" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear expression used to denote a lack of accountability or duty. While not as common as alternatives like "lack of accountability", it effectively conveys a situation where responsibility is missing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in written English. Its presence is more prominent in News & Media and Scientific sources. When employing the phrase, ensure that the context clarifies the subject lacking responsibility to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Best practice is to specify what or who lacks responsibility. Alternatives like "lack of accountability" or "failure to take responsibility" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of accountability

Focuses on the lack of being held accountable for actions.

no accountability

Emphasizes a complete lack of accountability.

lack of ownership

Highlights the absence of taking ownership for actions or outcomes.

failure to take responsibility

Stresses the act of not accepting responsibility.

dereliction of duty

Implies a neglect of one's obligations or responsibilities.

lack of culpability

Highlights the absence of blame.

evasion of responsibility

Highlights the act of avoiding responsibility.

no sense of duty

Focuses on lacking a feeling of obligation.

irresponsibility

Describes a general state of not being responsible.

negligence

Suggests a careless lack of responsibility, often with negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "absence of responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "absence of responsibility" to describe situations where there's a lack of accountability or duty. For instance: "The project failed due to an absence of responsibility among team members".

What are some alternatives to "absence of responsibility"?

Alternatives include "lack of accountability", "failure to take responsibility", or "dereliction of duty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lack of responsibility" or "absence of responsibility"?

"Lack of responsibility" and "absence of responsibility" are largely interchangeable. "Lack of responsibility" is more common in everyday language, while "absence of responsibility" might sound slightly more formal.

What does it mean when there is an "absence of responsibility" in an organization?

An "absence of responsibility" in an organization typically means that there's no clear accountability for actions or outcomes, leading to potential inefficiencies, errors, and a general lack of ownership.