an existing responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an existing responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a duty or obligation that is already in place or recognized. Example: "Before taking on new projects, we must first address an existing responsibility that requires our immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But as with strategy planning, internal communication is sometimes another unit's existing responsibility.

Harvard Business Review

The Paris agreement actually weakens the existing responsibility of rich countries to provide finance to poorer countries to help them adapt.

The Guardian

5 There is no legal responsibility for rich countries to help poorer ones with adapting to climate change The Paris agreement actually weakens the existing responsibility of rich countries to provide finance to poorer countries to help them adapt.

The Guardian

In 2007 he assumed responsibility for some local lines, which now form the London Overground network, adding to the existing responsibility for the London Underground, trams and buses.

Wikipedia

"The state already has a difficult enough time attending to its existing responsibilities due to a strained budget and limited personnel".

The New York Times

The human resources staff doubled in the role of diversity managers as a simple extension of their existing responsibilities at most agencies.

HuffPost

The Council's existing responsibilities were also broadened as a way to have a more representative government.

The New York Times

Jonathan Richards, previously head of news and programme director for talk station LBC, becomes head of news for Global Radio, retaining his existing responsibilities but taking on a wider remit for all news output across the group.

The Guardian

On Monday, refugee advocates were left disappointed by the announcement of a non-binding declaration that upheld world leaders' existing responsibilities for refugees, but offered little in terms of direct commitments.

The Guardian

When jobs go unmanned, your employees must find a way to help out on top of their existing responsibilities.

Forbes

In addition to her existing responsibilities, she was given two new groups to manage.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an existing responsibility" to highlight ongoing duties that should not be neglected when new projects or tasks are introduced.

Common error

Avoid assuming that adding new tasks won't affect "an existing responsibility". Always assess the potential impact to prevent overburdening individuals or teams.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an existing responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, where "existing" modifies the noun "responsibility". It refers to a duty or obligation that is already in place or recognized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an existing responsibility" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to a duty or obligation already in place. Although Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is rare. The phrase is used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure a clear differentiation between pre-established and new duties. Alternatives such as "a current duty" or "a pre-existing obligation" may provide a nuanced meaning, based on the specific use case. Remember to consider the impact of new tasks on "an existing responsibility" to manage resources and workload effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a current duty

Replaces 'existing' with 'current', emphasizing the present validity of the duty.

a pre-existing obligation

Uses 'pre-existing' instead of 'existing' to highlight that the obligation was in place before the current situation.

a present responsibility

Substitutes 'existing' with 'present', focusing on the responsibility's relevance now.

an established duty

Replaces 'responsibility' with 'duty' and 'existing' with 'established', emphasizing the already formed nature of the obligation.

an incumbent responsibility

Uses 'incumbent' to denote a responsibility that is currently in effect or binding.

an ongoing responsibility

Replaces 'existing' with 'ongoing' to focus on the continuous nature of the responsibility.

an already-established responsibility

Adds emphasis to the fact that the responsibility is already in place.

an in-place responsibility

Uses 'in-place' to indicate that the responsibility is currently active and operational.

a standing obligation

Replaces 'responsibility' with 'obligation' and 'existing' with 'standing', implying a long-term or permanent duty.

a previously assigned responsibility

Highlights that the responsibility has been given or designated before the present time.

FAQs

How can I use "an existing responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "an existing responsibility" to refer to duties or obligations already in place. For example: "Before taking on new projects, we must address "an existing responsibility" that requires immediate attention."

What are some alternatives to "an existing responsibility"?

Alternatives include "a current duty", "a pre-existing obligation", or "a present responsibility", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "an already existing responsibility"?

While not strictly incorrect, "an already existing responsibility" can be redundant. Using "an existing responsibility" is generally sufficient.

What's the difference between "an existing responsibility" and "a new responsibility"?

"An existing responsibility" refers to a duty or obligation that is already in place, while "a new responsibility" refers to a duty or obligation that is being assigned or undertaken for the first time.