agree on responsibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree on responsibilities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the division of tasks or roles among individuals or groups to ensure clarity and accountability. Example: "Before we start the project, it's important that we agree on responsibilities to avoid any confusion later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Otherwise, agree on responsibilities, like making dinner a few nights a week or doing the laundry.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You could say, for example, "When you come back to live for the summer, this is what we want to have happen and this is how you should act," working with them to agree on acceptable responsibilities.

Huffington Post

Virtually all parties in the debate, be they Republican or Democrat, say the loopholes should be closed so that the money can benefit students, not bottom lines, but few can agree on whose responsibility it is.

The New York Times

When Croatia joins the EU in 2013 (assuming Croats approve accession in a referendum on January 22nd), Bosnia will no longer be able to export much of its dairy, meat and egg production to its neighbour, because its leaders cannot agree on whether responsibility for food safety lies with the state or the entities.

The Economist

But, however the responsibility is apportioned, most people agree on one point: the need to retrain displaced workers.

The New Yorker

The leader of the campaign to win new powers for the Scottish Parliament has said he is "enthusiastic" that the pro-union parties will be able to agree on which new responsibilities could be devolved to Holyrood.

BBC

Meeting at a central place in the village, family heads discussed common problems of field management and agreed on mutual responsibilities and cooperation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If it fails to agree on a plan, the responsibility for redistricting falls to the State Supreme Court.

The New York Times

Participants in this game often find it difficult to agree on definitions of social responsibility or to verify claims that it has been achieved.

The New York Times

As the local authorities cannot agree on who should take responsibility for the work, once again they are tendering for a company that can shred the rubber.

The Guardian

For example, one GP agreed to take on responsibility for the entire group of asylum seekers.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "agree on responsibilities", ensure that all parties involved have a clear and shared understanding of what those responsibilities entail to avoid future misunderstandings or conflicts.

Common error

Don't assume that everyone understands their responsibilities just because they verbally "agree". Always document the agreed-upon responsibilities in writing to ensure clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree on responsibilities" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a process of reaching a consensus or mutual understanding regarding specific duties and tasks. It's often used to establish clarity and accountability within a group or team.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "agree on responsibilities" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies a mutual understanding and acceptance of specific duties and tasks. While its frequency is rare, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. Ludwig AI indicates that its proper use lies in establishing clear accountability and preventing confusion within teams or groups. To improve writing, ensure explicit documentation of agreed-upon responsibilities and consider alternatives like "establish shared duties" or "settle on obligations" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish shared duties

Focuses on the creation of shared duties, rather than just agreeing on pre-existing ones.

settle on obligations

Replaces "responsibilities" with "obligations", implying a more formal or binding agreement.

determine respective roles

Emphasizes the roles each party will play after reaching an agreement.

define collaborative tasks

Highlights the teamwork aspect and defining tasks that involve cooperation.

concur on assignments

Uses more formal language, substituting "agree" with "concur" and "responsibilities" with "assignments".

decide on shared tasks

Replaces the more formal "responsibilities" with "tasks", suggesting a simpler agreement.

reach consensus on duties

Implies a thorough discussion and eventual agreement on specific duties.

formulate mutual obligations

Focuses on creating mutual obligations, implying a higher level of commitment.

align on accountabilities

Uses business-oriented language, replacing "responsibilities" with "accountabilities" to suggest the more official use of that expression.

stipulate joint commitments

Expresses the concept in a very formal and legally-oriented manner using less frequent words.

FAQs

What does it mean to "agree on responsibilities"?

To "agree on responsibilities" means that all parties involved have come to a mutual understanding and acceptance of the specific duties and tasks that each person or group will be accountable for within a particular project or situation.

How can I use "agree on responsibilities" in a sentence?

You might say, "Before starting the project, it's crucial that we all "agree on responsibilities" to avoid any confusion or overlap in our efforts."

What are some alternatives to "agree on responsibilities"?

Alternatives include phrases like "establish shared duties", "settle on obligations", or "determine respective roles", depending on the specific context.

Why is it important to "agree on responsibilities" before starting a project?

It is important because it ensures that everyone knows what is expected of them, reduces the likelihood of duplicated efforts or neglected tasks, and promotes accountability and collaboration among team members.