assume a responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assume a responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing taking on a duty or obligation, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "As the project manager, I will assume a responsibility for ensuring that all deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

For this reason, WikiLeaks must assume a responsibility commensurate with the scale of its whistle-blowing.

The New Yorker

Though Christians have a new freedom, they have no license to sin; rather, they assume a responsibility to live lives in accord with the Spirit of God.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A narrow understanding of their roles, by contrast, may cause them to ignore critical tasks; they cannot assume a responsibility they do not recognize.

Harvard Business Review

If a State applies to assume a responsibility of the Secretary that would have required the Secretary to consult with another Federal agency, the Secretary shall solicit the views of the Federal agency before approving the application.

Cornell University

Oppenheimer: The most important difference between this agreement and previous ones, like the Kyoto Protocol — which is a international treaty committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions — is that all countries assume a responsibility for submitting plans indicating how they will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

Princeton University

MR. JUSTICE JACKSON: Your statement some time ago that you had a certain responsibility as a Minister of the Government for the conditions-I should like to have you explain what responsibility you referred to when you say you assume a responsibility as a member of the Government.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Vân-Ánh Võ, meanwhile, says she has assumed "a responsibility to protect the heritage of these traditional instruments".

The Guardian - Music

It means that all participants in the joint research project enter as equals (mutual respect) and each assumes a responsibility for contributing a certain expertise (mutual responsibility).

Harvard Business Review

But he is also known to have an aloof, distant management style that may have led to these younger executives assuming a responsibility they were not ready for.

The New York Times

It is accepted and understood that these are too important to be left to individual attention and that the state assumes a responsibility for making them available.

The Guardian - Opinion

You say, "As a national newspaper with high aspirations, The New York Times assumes a responsibility to alert its readers to significant problems as they emerge in major cities such as New Orleans".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assume a responsibility", ensure the context clearly defines the specific duty or obligation being undertaken. Providing concrete examples of the responsibility enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "assume a responsibility" without specifying what that responsibility entails. Generic statements can lack impact and leave room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assume a responsibility" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of taking on or accepting a duty or obligation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assume a responsibility" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the act of taking on a duty or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While versatile, the phrase carries a formal tone suitable for professional and academic environments. Related phrases include "take on a responsibility" and "shoulder a responsibility", offering similar meanings with slight differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, clarity is key; always specify the exact nature of the responsibility to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on a responsibility

Focuses on actively accepting a duty or task.

accept a responsibility

Emphasizes the agreement to handle a particular duty.

shoulder a responsibility

Implies bearing the weight or burden of a duty.

bear a responsibility

Similar to 'shoulder', suggesting the act of carrying a burden.

undertake a responsibility

Suggests a formal or serious commitment to a duty.

embrace a responsibility

Indicates a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of a duty.

own a responsibility

Highlights taking ownership and accountability for a duty.

discharge a responsibility

Refers to fulfilling or completing a duty.

fulfil a responsibility

Implies meeting the requirements of a duty.

discharge an obligation

Refers to satisfying or completing a requirement.

FAQs

What does "assume a responsibility" mean?

The phrase "assume a responsibility" means to take on or accept a duty, obligation, or burden. It implies a willingness to be accountable for something.

What can I say instead of "assume a responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "take on a responsibility", "accept a responsibility", or "shoulder a responsibility" depending on the context.

Is it better to "assume a responsibility" or "take a responsibility"?

Both phrases are correct and generally interchangeable. "Assume a responsibility" can sound slightly more formal than "take a responsibility", but the difference is minimal.

When is it appropriate to use "assume a responsibility" in writing?

It's appropriate in formal contexts, such as business reports, academic papers, or legal documents, where you need to convey the act of taking on a specific duty or obligation.