assign responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assign responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in business and academic writing when you are referring to assigning someone the responsibility and/or duty of completing a specific task or project. For example, "The manager assigned responsibility to each of their team members to complete the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Statistically, both response professionals and laypeople assign responsibility for their personal safety and provision of resources in a similar manner (Fig. 3).

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Boards have to assign responsibility, he said.

The New York Times

Assign responsibility to yourself, them and the student (if appropriate).

The Guardian

But it did not assign responsibility for the killings.

The New York Times

The group did not assign responsibility for the killings.

The New York Times

How do we assign responsibility if and when they fail to get what they wanted?

The Guardian

The critics are lining up to assign responsibility for the disastrous power problem last week.

The New York Times

Designers assign responsibility to human nature; modeling agents speak of market forces.

The New York Times

Care is widely dispersed, so it is difficult to assign responsibility to one doctor.

The New York Times

It's also best to assign responsibility for the whistleblowing policy to a particular member of staff, according to West.

The Guardian

If one had to assign responsibility, I would accept that it's men because they're in overall charge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assign responsibility", ensure the assignment is clear and specific, outlining the exact tasks and expected outcomes to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague language when assigning responsibility. Clearly define the scope of the task and the expected level of authority to prevent misunderstandings and ensure accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assign responsibility" functions as a verb phrase where "assign" is the verb and "responsibility" is the direct object. According to Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. Its function is to indicate the act of giving someone a specific duty or task to manage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assign responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the act of delegating a task or duty to someone. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in business, academic, and general writing. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be clear and specific about the tasks and expected outcomes to ensure accountability. Related phrases include "delegate responsibility" and "transfer responsibility". While the phrase is generally neutral, it's commonly used in professional settings that emphasize clear communication and accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign accountability

Stresses making someone answerable for outcomes.

delegate responsibility

Focuses on entrusting a task to another.

assign liability

Indicates determining legal responsibility for damages or debts.

transfer responsibility

Emphasizes shifting a duty from one party to another.

allocate responsibility

Highlights distributing duties among multiple parties.

apportion responsibility

Indicates dividing responsibility proportionally.

devolve responsibility

Highlights passing down responsibilities to lower levels.

attribute responsibility

Focuses on identifying the cause or origin of something, often in terms of fault.

entrust responsibility

Emphasizes the act of placing confidence in someone to handle a duty.

cede responsibility

Highlights the act of formally giving up control or duty.

FAQs

How can I /s/delegate+responsibility instead of "assign responsibility"?

Alternatives include "delegate responsibility", "transfer responsibility", or "allocate responsibility", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "assign" instead of "assign responsibility"?

While grammatically correct, using "assign" alone may lack clarity. It's better to specify what is being assigned, such as responsibility, tasks, or roles, for better understanding.

What is the difference between "assign responsibility" and "attribute responsibility"?

"Assign responsibility" means to give someone a task or duty, whereas "attribute responsibility" means to identify the cause or origin of something, often assigning blame or credit.

How to use "assign responsibility" in a business setting?

In a business setting, "assign responsibility" is used to allocate tasks and duties to specific individuals or teams, ensuring accountability and efficient workflow. For example, "The project manager will assign responsibility for each task to the appropriate team member."