accept responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

"accept responsibility for" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to acknowledge and take ownership of one's actions or decisions. Example: The CEO of the company accepted responsibility for the financial losses and promised to implement new strategies to improve the company's performance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Will they accept responsibility for their plight?

The Guardian

A great deal of that hurt I accept responsibility for".

Independent

Yes, I do accept responsibility for everything that went wrong.

The New York Times

But I must accept responsibility for the side effects.

Independent

He said: "We accept responsibility for our past mistakes.

The Guardian - Business

I acknowledge the mistakes and accept responsibility for them.

The Guardian

But it must also accept responsibility for the bad news.

The New York Times

It was my fault and I accept responsibility for that".

The New York Times - Sports

"We have closed our investigation since you have indicated that you accept responsibility for this charge".

The New York Times

Still, Pakistan must accept responsibility for paving its own tragic pathway.

The New York Times

The government needs publicly to accept responsibility for losing the trust of UK doctors.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and context. While "accept responsibility for" is generally appropriate, more formal or informal alternatives might be suitable depending on the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "accept responsibility for" without specifying what you are taking responsibility for. For example, instead of saying "I accept responsibility for what happened", specify "I accept responsibility for the error in the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of acknowledging and taking ownership of something, typically an action, decision, or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accept responsibility for" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression signifying acknowledgment and ownership of actions or outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news media, scientific publications, and business communications. While "accept responsibility for" is generally appropriate, the specific context may call for more formal or informal alternatives such as "take accountability for" or "own up to". When using the phrase, clarity is paramount; always specify what you are taking responsibility for to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take accountability for

This alternative emphasizes being answerable for the consequences of actions.

take ownership of

This emphasizes personal accountability and control over a situation or outcome.

bear the responsibility for

This phrase suggests carrying the weight or burden associated with a particular duty or obligation.

be answerable for

This implies being accountable and required to explain or justify one's actions.

shoulder the blame for

This implies taking on the negative consequences or censure for something.

acknowledge culpability for

This phrase indicates admitting guilt or blameworthiness for something.

be held liable for

This is a more formal, often legalistic, way of saying someone is responsible for damages or wrongdoing.

stand by one's actions

This suggests supporting and defending one's actions, even if they are criticized.

own up to

This is an informal way of admitting fault or responsibility.

face the music for

This idiomatic expression means to accept the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "accept responsibility for" to indicate that you are taking ownership of an action or decision. For example, "The manager "accepts responsibility for" the team's performance" or "I "accept responsibility for" the mistake".

What are some alternatives to "accept responsibility for"?

Alternatives include "take accountability for", "bear the responsibility for", or "take ownership of", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "accept responsibility for" and "take responsibility for" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. They are largely interchangeable.

What does it mean to "accept responsibility for" something?

To "accept responsibility for" something means to acknowledge that you are the cause of it. When someone "accepts responsibility for" a mistake, it means they are willing to answer for it.