assume liability

USAGE SUMMARY

"assume liability" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to mean to take on the legal responsibility for something, usually a debt or an obligation. For example, "The company assumed liability for the environmental damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The University will not assume liability for student actions.

Columbia University

It was forced to assume liability for any further expenses or lawsuits and to reimburse the county $16 million.

The New York Times

The corporation which provides generally high-risk, specialized marine, automobile, aviation, and nonmarine insurance services sets strict financial rules and other regulations but does not itself assume liability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Interfaith, for one, gives its emergency-room physicians a letter promising to assume liability, said Luis A. Hernandez, the hospital's chief executive.

The New York Times

Senator Tom Daschle, the Democratic leader, was the chief sponsor of the bill, under which the government will assume liability for any environmental damage.

The New York Times

They would allow employers to shield themselves by naming an outside entity, known as "a designated decision-maker," to assume liability.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Shaw said it would also assume liabilities of about $450 million.

The New York Times

BlackRock has said it will not assume liabilities from Quellos's tax-shelter business.

The New York Times

It would be foolhardy for Germany to assume liabilities for deficit countries without such reforms.

The New York Times

The company, based in Huntsville, Ala., will pay about $55 million in cash and $45 million in stock for OSA, and assume liabilities and employee stock options, Avocent said.

The New York Times

The agreement includes $45 million to assume liabilities, $25 million for the Sabres' projected debt by the end of this season and a $22 million loan.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assume liability" in a contract or legal document, ensure that the specific scope and limitations of the liability are clearly defined to avoid future disputes.

Common error

Avoid using "assume liability" without fully understanding the potential financial and legal consequences. Always conduct thorough due diligence and seek legal advice before assuming liability for debts, obligations, or potential damages.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assume liability" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates the act of taking on legal or financial responsibility for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assume liability" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the act of taking on legal or financial responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard phrase in English, frequently appearing in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "accept responsibility" and "take responsibility" exist, "assume liability" is specifically tied to legal or financial obligations. When using this phrase, it's crucial to understand the scope of the liability being assumed and to clearly define it in any legal documents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be held liable

Focuses on the legal aspect of being found responsible for damages or wrongdoing.

accept legal responsibility

Explicitly states the acceptance of legal obligations.

accept responsibility

Focuses on the broader concept of responsibility rather than the specific legal or financial aspect of liability.

take responsibility

Similar to "accept responsibility", but emphasizes the act of taking on responsibility.

become responsible

Similar to "accept responsibility", but highlights the transition to a state of being responsible.

bear the responsibility

Implies carrying or enduring the burden of responsibility.

shoulder the burden

Emphasizes the difficulty and weight of the obligation.

become accountable

Highlights the aspect of being answerable for one's actions.

take on the onus

Refers to accepting a duty or obligation, often one that is unwelcome.

agree to indemnify

Involves a contractual agreement to protect someone from financial loss or legal claims.

FAQs

How is "assume liability" used in a sentence?

"Assume liability" means to take on legal responsibility for something. For example, "The company will "assume liability" for any environmental damage caused by the project".

What's a formal alternative to "assume liability"?

A more formal alternative is "accept legal responsibility" or "undertake the obligations". For example, "The organization will "accept legal responsibility" for the project's environmental impact".

What is the difference between "assume liability" and "assume responsibility"?

"Assume liability" typically refers to a legal or financial obligation, whereas "assume responsibility" can refer to a broader range of obligations, including moral or ethical ones.

When should I use "assume liability" instead of a similar phrase?

Use "assume liability" when specifically referring to the legal or financial responsibility for something, as opposed to a general sense of duty or obligation. If the context is related to a debt you can also use "assume liabilities".