acknowledging responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acknowledging responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing accountability or ownership of a particular action or situation. Example: "The company is acknowledging responsibility for the environmental impact of its operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Opinion

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

"Narcissists are biased to take more credit for success than is legitimate," Hogan and his co-authors write, and "biased to avoid acknowledging responsibility for their failures and shortcomings for the same reasons that they claim more success than is their due".

The New Yorker

The French agreed to let the disarmed colonials march back to Virginia with the honours of war, but they compelled Washington to promise that Virginia would not build another fort on the Ohio for a year and to sign a paper acknowledging responsibility for "l'assassinat" of de Jumonville, a word that Washington later explained he did not rightly understand.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The United Nations sanctions, which also hinge on compensation and acknowledging responsibility for actions of Libyan officials, were suspended after Libya last year gave up the two men for trial by a special three-judge Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands.

The New York Times

While acknowledging responsibility for the mix-up, health care company Baxter says it will not reveal the exact chain of events that led the unsuspecting labs to receive H5N1, the highly lethal avian influenza virus, in samples of less dangerous flu strains.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 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 for", clearly state what specific action or situation the responsibility is being acknowledged for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "acknowledging responsibility for" without specifying the scope of the responsibility. Ensure it's clear what exactly is being acknowledged to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acknowledging responsibility for" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a verbal noun, followed by a noun and a preposition. It indicates the action of admitting accountability or ownership concerning a specific matter. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acknowledging responsibility for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the act of recognizing and accepting accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English writing. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science, the phrase carries a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, clarity and specificity regarding the subject of responsibility are crucial. Alternatives like "accepting liability for" or "taking ownership of" offer subtle variations in meaning. Mastering its use ensures clear and effective communication about accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepting liability for

Focuses more specifically on the legal or financial aspects of responsibility.

admitting fault regarding

Highlights the admission of wrongdoing or error in a particular matter.

taking ownership of

Emphasizes assuming control and accountability for a situation or task.

recognizing accountability regarding

Highlights the recognition of being answerable for something.

owning up to

An informal way of saying someone is admitting they did something wrong.

confessing to

Implies a deeper admission, often associated with guilt or wrongdoing.

fessing up to

Informal version of "confessing to", suggesting a more casual admission.

taking the blame for

Focuses on accepting the negative consequences or censure for an action.

admitting culpability in

Highlights legal or moral blameworthiness in a specific situation.

shouldering the burden of

Emphasizes bearing the weight of responsibility, often in difficult circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "acknowledging responsibility for" to indicate that someone or some entity is accepting accountability for a particular action, outcome or situation. For example: "The company is "acknowledging responsibility for" the environmental damage caused by the oil spill".

What are some alternatives to "acknowledging responsibility for"?

You can use alternatives such as "accepting liability for", "taking ownership of", or "admitting fault regarding" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "acknowledging responsibility for" and "accepting responsibility for"?

While similar, ""acknowledging responsibility for"" implies a recognition or admission of accountability, while "accepting responsibility for" suggests a willingness to bear the consequences or take action to rectify the situation.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "acknowledging responsibility for"?

It is appropriate to use "acknowledging responsibility for" in formal or professional settings where it is important to clearly state that someone or some entity is taking accountability for their actions or the outcomes of their actions. This can include legal contexts, business settings, or public statements.