acknowledging responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledging responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing accountability or ownership of actions or decisions, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The manager is acknowledging responsibility for the project's delays and is working on a plan to address the issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Times" account about Ford's demand for a "revealing statement" from Nixon, acknowledging responsibility.

The New Yorker

A no-contest plea allowed Mr. Kuczera to be convicted without acknowledging responsibility.

The New York Times

Far from acknowledging responsibility, they block and stall and say just about anything that might deflect blame from them.

Independent

But now, Serbia is recognising the fact that 8 000 Bosniaks were killed, and officially acknowledging responsibility for their massacre.

The Guardian - Opinion

Acknowledging responsibility, the company has set aside discount vouchers for future conferences and $1 million for refunds.

The New York Times

Descendants of the DeWolfs, once the nation's largest slave owning families, are also facing their history and acknowledging responsibility for the massive harm they caused.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Commemorations provided by groups responsible for wrongdoing may demonstrate a willingness to acknowledge responsibility for such wrongs, (renewed) respect for the victims, and commitment never to repeat such misdeeds (Barsalou and Baxter 2007, Blustein 2014).

SEP

The city and Bovis ultimately acknowledged responsibility for the deaths.

The New York Times

Israel has not publicly acknowledged responsibility for those strikes.

The New York Times

Libya has since acknowledged responsibility for the bombing.

The New York Times

Mr. Sampson has acknowledged responsibility for three murders in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acknowledging responsibility", clearly state what the responsibility entails to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The company is acknowledging responsibility", specify "The company is acknowledging responsibility for the data breach".

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when stating who is "acknowledging responsibility". Active voice makes the statement more direct and impactful. For example, prefer "The CEO is acknowledging responsibility" over "Responsibility is being acknowledged by the CEO".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledging responsibility" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of accepting accountability. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase appears in various contexts, highlighting its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acknowledging responsibility" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a gerund phrase, denoting the act of accepting accountability. As shown in Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and media contexts, often with a neutral register. While alternatives like "accepting accountability" and "taking ownership" exist, the specific choice depends on the context and desired emphasis. Ludwig AI validates the phrase's proper usage and its relevance across diverse sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepting accountability

Focuses on the act of accepting accountability, emphasizing the willingness to be held responsible.

shouldering the responsibility

Emphasizes the act of taking on responsibility willingly and resolutely.

taking ownership

Emphasizes personal accountability and control over a situation or outcome.

recognizing culpability

Emphasizes the acknowledgement of being guilty or blameworthy.

assuming liability

Highlights the legal aspect of taking on responsibility for damages or debts.

admitting fault

Specifically refers to confessing to an error or wrongdoing.

taking the blame

Focuses on accepting censure or punishment for a mistake or failure.

owning up to

An informal way of saying accepting responsibility or admitting fault.

confessing to

Implies admitting to something wrong or illegal, often with a sense of guilt.

bearing the burden

Conveys the idea of accepting the negative consequences associated with responsibility.

FAQs

How to use "acknowledging responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "acknowledging responsibility" to describe the act of accepting accountability for an action or decision. For example: "The company is "acknowledging responsibility" for the error and taking steps to correct it".

What can I say instead of "acknowledging responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "accepting accountability", "taking ownership", or "admitting fault" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "acknowledging responsibility" or "acknowledge responsibility"?

"Acknowledging responsibility" is a gerund phrase, often used as a noun. "Acknowledge responsibility" is a verb phrase, used as an action. Example: "Acknowledging responsibility is crucial for rebuilding trust", versus "The company must "acknowledge responsibility" for the incident".

What's the difference between "acknowledging responsibility" and "recognizing responsibility"?

"Acknowledging responsibility" implies an acceptance of accountability, whereas "recognizing responsibility" simply means understanding or being aware of a duty or obligation. The former carries a stronger connotation of accepting the consequences.