appear to be responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appear to be responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's perceived accountability or role in a situation, often in a context where certainty is not established. Example: "The investigation suggests that the employees appear to be responsible for the discrepancies in the financial reports."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Given that HVCX neurons appear to be responsible for all auditory responses in the anterior forebrain pathway, this result seemed puzzling.

eLife

Electrons trapped in the surface states appear to be responsible for the slower photocurrent response in the case of the DSSC with bare P25 film [25, 26].

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

In contrast, different metabolic and transcriptional networks appear to be responsible for the P-starvation response, wherein only 6 of the 57 enzymes were differentially expressed.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Humans appear to be responsible.

The New Yorker

Nitric oxide generation does not appear to be responsible for the phenomenon.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Favorable light and soil temperature in the large gaps appear to be responsible for this.

Forest Ecology and Management

These swelling gradients at interfaces appear to be responsible for the anomalous maximum in thin films.

Polymer

Dendritic cells, rather than macrophages, appear to be responsible for L. major-specific Th priming in these studies.

Immunobiology

A number of factors appear to be responsible for this variability, including fixation times, equipment utilized and training and experience of staff.

Pathology - Research and Practice

Senior civil servants and ministers appear to be responsible for allowing coercive interrogation techniques – and worse – to be used in Iraq and then their use covered up.

The Guardian - Opinion

Variation of the surface/bulk real structure of those complex oxides and their strong interaction with the surface promoters (Pt, Ni) appear to be responsible for those effects.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appear to be responsible", clarify the basis for this appearance. Providing supporting evidence or context enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to be responsible" when you have definitive proof. Use stronger language when certainty exists to maintain accuracy and avoid undermining your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to be responsible" functions as a hedged assertion. It indicates a perceived accountability or causation while acknowledging a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI explains, it is suitable when evidence suggests a connection but definite proof is lacking. The numerous examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its wide application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appear to be responsible" is a versatile expression used to suggest accountability or causation with a degree of uncertainty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, particularly in science and news. While the phrase is quite common, remember to provide supporting context and avoid overstating certainty when using it. Alternatives like "seem to be accountable" or "may be the cause" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to be accountable

Replaces "appear" with "seem", implying a perception of accountability but maintaining a degree of uncertainty.

seem to hold responsibility

Substitutes "responsible" with "hold responsibility", emphasizing the act of bearing responsibility.

appear to be liable

Replaces "responsible" with "liable", suggesting a legal obligation or accountability.

can be held responsible

Shifts the focus to the possibility of assigning responsibility.

may be the cause

Indicates a potential cause or origin of something.

are seemingly at fault

Indicates that something appears to be the cause of a problem.

appear to be the reason for

Clearly indicates a causal relationship.

are considered responsible

Shifts the perspective to a more formal assessment or judgment of responsibility.

have accountability for

Emphasizes the obligation to answer for something.

bear the responsibility

Highlights the act of carrying or enduring the burden of responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "appear to be responsible" in a sentence?

Use "appear to be responsible" to suggest a potential cause or accountability without stating it as a definite fact. For example, "The leaked documents "appear to be responsible" for the company's stock decline."

What can I say instead of "appear to be responsible"?

You can use alternatives like "seem to be accountable", "may be the cause", or "are seemingly at fault" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "appear to be responsible" versus "is responsible"?

Use "appear to be responsible" when you have an indication or suspicion but lack conclusive evidence. Use "is responsible" only when you have solid proof or confirmed facts.

What is the difference between "appear to be responsible" and "considered responsible"?

"Appear to be responsible" suggests a personal observation or preliminary assessment, while "considered responsible" indicates a widely held belief or judgment by others.