are responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

"are responsible for" is a correct and useful phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you are talking about how someone else is responsible for something. For example: "The teachers are responsible for making sure the students understand the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are responsible for that.

Independent

You are responsible for yourselves".

Independent

"We all are responsible for this brand.

The New York Times - Sports

"Abusers are responsible for terrible crimes.

Independent

"Now you are responsible for everything".

The New York Times

Governments are responsible for preventing such abuse.

The New York Times

Iraqis are responsible for their own future.

The New York Times

You are responsible for their deaths.

The Guardian

Other ministries are responsible for technical education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

People are responsible for violence and terrorism".

Independent

We are responsible for each other.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are responsible for", clearly define the scope of responsibility to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify tasks, areas, or outcomes for which someone is accountable.

Common error

Avoid using "are responsible for" when the connection is indirect or tenuous. Reserve it for situations where the accountability is direct and significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are responsible for" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating that the subject has a duty or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness, further supported by the numerous real-world examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are responsible for" is a versatile phrase used to assign accountability or causation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It's grammatically sound, commonly used in neutral contexts like news and scientific articles, and can be replaced by alternatives such as ""are accountable for"" or "are liable for" depending on the specific nuance required. When using this phrase, ensure the scope of responsibility is clearly defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are accountable for

Uses 'accountable' which is a direct synonym emphasizing the obligation to answer for something.

are liable for

Emphasizes legal or financial obligation.

are answerable for

Similar to 'accountable' but can imply a broader sense of being required to explain actions.

bear responsibility for

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

are in charge of

Focuses on the aspect of control and management.

have a duty to

Highlights a moral or legal obligation to perform a specific task or action.

are to blame for

Directly assigns fault or culpability.

are the cause of

Shifts the focus to causation rather than responsibility.

are the reason for

Indicates the underlying explanation or justification for something.

are the origin of

Suggests being the starting point or source of something.

FAQs

What does "are responsible for" mean?

The phrase "are responsible for" indicates that someone is accountable, answerable, or to blame for something, be it an action, task, or outcome.

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

You can use "are responsible for" to assign accountability. For example: "The project managers "are accountable for" delivering the project on time."

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

You can use alternatives like ""are accountable for"", "are liable for", or "are in charge of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is responsible for" instead of "are responsible for"?

Yes, "is responsible for" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "are responsible for" is used for plural subjects. For example: "He is responsible for the budget." vs "They "are responsible for" the planning."