are primarily responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are primarily responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the main accountability or duty of a person or group regarding a specific outcome or situation. Example: "The committee members are primarily responsible for ensuring that the project stays on schedule and within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are "targeted assassinations" (where leaders who are primarily responsible for decisions to go to war are targeted for assassination) justifiable?

SEP

Adults are primarily responsible for actively addressing and preventing bullying.

The New York Times

Bacteria and fungi are primarily responsible for this process.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Species of the genus Centruroides are primarily responsible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are primarily responsible for the team's 21-game winning streak over two years.

The New York Times - Magazine

The units are primarily responsible for the processing, packaging and sale of fresh milk to supermarkets.

The New York Times

The pressure gradients, in turn, are primarily responsible for transport within the small intestine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A company's internal accountants are primarily responsible for preparing financial statements.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The notion that foreign immigrants are primarily responsible for out-of-control sprawl in American cities is absurd.

The New York Times

#Marikana Both unions are primarily responsible for using miners for turf war and SAPS get the blame.

The New York Times

Still, states are primarily responsible for enacting measures to improve reporting to the NICS system," Dr. Coburn said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are primarily responsible", ensure that the context clearly defines the scope and limits of the responsibility. Be specific about what the subject is accountable for.

Common error

Avoid using "are primarily responsible" when the subject shares responsibility equally with others. If the responsibility is shared, consider using phrases like "share responsibility" or "contribute significantly."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are primarily responsible" functions as a predicative expression, assigning the role of main accountability to a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct way to express duty or obligation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are primarily responsible" is a common and grammatically correct way to assign main accountability. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. While many alternatives exist, such as "bear the main responsibility" and "are chiefly accountable", it's crucial to define the scope of responsibility clearly. Avoid overstating responsibility when it is shared, and consider alternative phrases in such cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the main responsibility

This alternative directly states who holds the greatest accountability.

are chiefly accountable

This emphasizes the accountability aspect, suggesting a formal obligation.

hold the primary responsibility

It focuses on the act of possessing the main duty.

are mainly in charge

This option highlights the management or control aspect of the responsibility.

are principally liable

This suggests a legal or formal responsibility.

are largely to blame

This places emphasis on fault or causation, often in a negative context.

have the greatest influence

This indicates that the entities exert a significant impact.

are the foremost cause

This identifies something as the principal reason or source.

are the key drivers

Highlights that something propels or motivates something else to happen.

are the major contributors

Focuses on the act of contributing to a certain outcome.

FAQs

What does "are primarily responsible" mean?

The phrase "are primarily responsible" means that a person or group has the main duty or obligation for something. It indicates that while others may be involved, the main accountability rests with the subject.

How can I use "are primarily responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "are primarily responsible" to indicate who has the main duty or obligation. For example: "The project managers "are primarily responsible" for ensuring the project stays on track."

What can I say instead of "are primarily responsible"?

You can use alternatives like "bear the main responsibility", "are chiefly accountable", or "hold the primary responsibility" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "are primarily responsible" and "are secondarily responsible"?

"Are primarily responsible" indicates the main duty, while "are secondarily responsible" means having a supporting role or responsibility only if the primary party fails to fulfill their obligation.