accepted responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accepted responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing accountability or acknowledging one's role in a situation or outcome. Example: "After the incident, the manager accepted responsibility for the team's failure to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

President Bush long ago accepted responsibility for the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.

The New York Times

Libya has accepted responsibility for the bombing.

The New York Times

He accepted responsibility for using 1 Para.

The Guardian

On a fundamental level, he accepted responsibility for his actions.

The New Yorker

Pakistan has never accepted responsibility for what happened.

Independent

After the race, Stewart accepted responsibility for the pileup.

The New York Times

He had accepted responsibility for Tuesday night's hammering in Italy.

The Guardian - Sport

Libya has never accepted responsibility for the UTA bombing.

The New York Times

Professor Koosed said Mr. Cooey accepted responsibility for the crimes.

The New York Times

The government accepted responsibility for its spent-fuel liabilities.

The Guardian - Business

President Bush might have accepted responsibility for these two failures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accepted responsibility for" when you want to emphasize a formal acknowledgment of accountability, especially in professional or public contexts.

Common error

While "accepted responsibility for" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "owned up to" or "took the blame" when speaking informally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accepted responsibility for" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of acknowledging and taking ownership of a particular duty, obligation, or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accepted responsibility for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has acknowledged their accountability for something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it sees frequent use across various contexts, including news, business, and encyclopedic sources. While versatile, this phrase is most impactful in professional and formal settings. When opting for alternatives, consider the nuances between phrases like "took accountability for" or "owned up to" to ensure the most appropriate tone and emphasis. Always strive for clarity and precision when discussing accountability, whether in writing or speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took accountability for

Emphasizes the action of taking ownership of accountability.

claimed responsibility for

Highlights the act of declaring responsibility, often in cases of events or actions.

assumed liability for

Focuses on the legal or financial aspect of responsibility.

acknowledged fault for

Focuses specifically on admitting error or wrongdoing.

admitted culpability for

Highlights the state of being guilty or blameworthy.

owned up to

Informal way of saying someone admitted fault and responsibility.

became accountable for

Focuses on the process of becoming responsible.

shouldered the blame for

Suggests taking on the burden of blame.

bore the responsibility for

Implies carrying the weight of responsibility.

faced the consequences of

Focuses on dealing with the results of one's actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "accepted responsibility for" to indicate that someone has acknowledged their role in an event or outcome. For instance, "The CEO "accepted responsibility for" the company's financial losses".

What can I say instead of "accepted responsibility for"?

You can use alternatives like "took responsibility for", "acknowledged accountability for", or "owned up to" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "accepted responsibility for" and "assumed responsibility for"?

"Accepted responsibility for" implies acknowledging a past fault or obligation, whereas "assumed responsibility for" suggests taking on a new duty or role.

Is it better to say "accepted responsibility" or "taken responsibility"?

Both ""accepted responsibility for"" and "taken responsibility for" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Accepted" emphasizes acknowledgment, while "taken" emphasizes action.