accept responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone needs to take ownership of a situation or a task. For example: "The team leader must accept responsibility for the failed project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I accept responsibility.

The New York Times

They don't accept responsibility".

The New York Times

"I accept responsibility," Mr. Gilani said.

The New York Times

"Management needs to accept responsibility.

The Guardian - Business

"Who's going to accept responsibility?

The New York Times

"I'll accept responsibility," he said.

The New York Times

The chief minister refuses to accept responsibility".

The Guardian

Will they accept responsibility for their plight?

The Guardian

Do I have to accept responsibility?

The Guardian

"We all have to accept responsibility.

The New York Times - Sports

If not, he should accept responsibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accept responsibility" to show a commitment to addressing the consequences of your actions or decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "accept responsibility" without clearly stating the actions or decisions you are taking responsibility for. Vague statements can be perceived as insincere or incomplete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, where "accept" is the main verb and "responsibility" is its direct object. It indicates the act of acknowledging and taking ownership of a duty, obligation, or fault. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

19%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

HuffPost

5%

Vice

3%

Los Angeles Times

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accept responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the act of acknowledging and taking ownership of one's actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. It's important to be specific about what you are taking responsibility for to convey sincerity. Alternatives include "take accountability", "own up to", and "admit fault". When writing, avoid vagueness and clearly state the actions or decisions you are taking responsibility for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take accountability

Focuses more directly on being held accountable for actions or outcomes.

take ownership

Stresses the personal and proactive aspect of assuming responsibility.

admit fault

Simply means to recognize and confess one's error or mistake.

own up to

An informal way of saying to admit fault or responsibility.

answer for

Highlights the need to provide an explanation or justification for one's actions.

bear the onus

Emphasizes the burden or obligation associated with a particular responsibility.

be held liable

Focuses on the legal or formal aspect of being responsible for something.

acknowledge culpability

A more formal way of admitting guilt or fault.

shoulder the blame

Highlights the willingness to take the blame for something negative.

face the music

Implies accepting the consequences of one's actions, often after wrongdoing.

FAQs

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

You can use "accept responsibility" to indicate that someone is taking ownership of a situation or task. For example, "The project manager must "accept responsibility" for the project's outcome".

What are some alternatives to "accept responsibility"?

Alternatives include "take accountability", "own up to", or "admit fault", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "accept responsibility" or "take responsibility"?

Both phrases are correct and often interchangeable. "Accept responsibility" emphasizes acknowledging the obligation, while "take responsibility" suggests actively assuming control and dealing with the situation.

What does it mean to "accept responsibility"?

To ""accept responsibility"" means to acknowledge and take ownership of one's actions, decisions, and their consequences, demonstrating accountability and willingness to address the situation.