are solely responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are solely responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has exclusive accountability for a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The project managers are solely responsible for ensuring that the deadlines are met and the budget is adhered to."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are solely responsible for the error".

Independent

Unlike past mass extinction events, this is one for which are solely responsible.

The Guardian

At the other end are those who are solely responsible for a park".

The New York Times

You are solely responsible for immediately reporting and deactivating a lost or stolen Cal1 Card.

University of California, Berkeley

Fellows are solely responsible for organizing and financing their room and board.

University of California, Berkeley

You are solely responsible for obtaining your passport and visa (if required).

Stanford University

The federal government, and more importantly, American taxpayers, are solely responsible for your company's existence today.

The New York Times

Under Navy rules, the captain and his crew are solely responsible for the safety of their ship.

The New York Times

As an end user, you are solely responsible for the download or use of any images from the Gallery's site.

Yale University

The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people's health.

Harvard University

Finally, CRAC channels are solely responsible for the Ca2+ influx that underlies antigen-mediated T cell activation.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you need to emphasize someone's accountability for a specific task or decision, using "are solely responsible" clarifies that no one else shares that burden. For example, "Project managers are solely responsible for meeting deadlines."

Common error

Avoid using "are solely responsible" in situations where shared responsibility is more appropriate. Overstating individual accountability can create undue pressure and overlook the contributions of others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are solely responsible" functions as a predicate adjective clarifying the extent and nature of the responsibility. It modifies the subject, indicating that responsibility is exclusive and not shared. As Ludwig AI indicates, it emphasizes exclusive accountability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

33%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are solely responsible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that assigns exclusive accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across diverse contexts. It's suitable for formal, neutral, and professional communication, particularly in academic, scientific, and news-related domains. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the scope of responsibility to avoid ambiguity. While highly effective for clarifying individual accountability, consider whether a collaborative effort makes more sense before implying that someone "is solely responsible".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are completely responsible

Emphasizes the totality of responsibility; slightly stronger in tone.

are fully responsible

Highlights the complete nature of the responsibility.

are entirely accountable

Focuses on the aspect of being held to account for outcomes.

bear full responsibility

Implies actively carrying the burden of responsibility.

are exclusively liable

A more legalistic term emphasizing legal obligation.

are uniquely accountable

Highlights that the responsibility falls to no one else.

carry the can

An idiomatic expression suggesting blame or accountability, often in a difficult situation.

are the only ones to blame

Directly attributes fault and responsibility to a specific group.

are chargeable

Used mostly in legal settings, referring to responsibility or accountability.

shoulder the responsibility

Illustrates actively taking on a difficult task or duty.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "is solely responsible"?

It means that the person or entity has the exclusive duty and accountability for something, and no one else shares that responsibility.

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

You can use alternatives like "are completely responsible", "are fully responsible", or "are entirely accountable" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to say someone "is solely responsible"?

It's appropriate when an individual or group has been specifically delegated the duty or obligation for a task, project, or outcome, and their performance is not dependent on others.

Is it better to use "are solely responsible" or "are jointly responsible"?

The choice depends on whether the responsibility is individual or shared. Use "are solely responsible" when one party is exclusively accountable. Use "are jointly responsible" when multiple parties share the accountability.