assume responsibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assume responsibilities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking on some form of responsibility, such as a job assignment or a task. For example, "John was asked to assume responsibilities for organizing the office Christmas party."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

It gives them the chance to develop into responsible members of society - to take part in decisions, assume responsibilities, and to resolve their conflicts in a peaceful way.

Unicef

In developing the SRR model, the tool of Responsibility Assignment Matrix is used to identify the concerned departments who assume responsibilities in the process of implementing sustainable urbanization.

Ecological Indicators

For the first time, United Nations personnel had to assume responsibilities beyond normal peacekeeping duties.

The New York Times

Exile will assume responsibilities for media planning and buying for all Mediaplex clients, doubling its billings for online clients.

The New York Times

There is a growing teacher recruitment crisis, and in some cases head teachers assume responsibilities when they are not remotely experienced enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

It called for Japan to assume responsibilities in the international community not only as an economic power but also as a political and military one.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"But the time has come for us to assume responsibility..

The Guardian

It requires Iraqis to assume responsibility for their own future.

The New York Times

Murphy was obliged to assume responsibility for the firm.

The New Yorker

Greta has no choice but to assume responsibility.

The New York Times

When should the state assume responsibility for looking after children?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "assume responsibilities" when you want to emphasize the act of taking on specific duties or roles, often indicating a shift in responsibility or an increase in workload.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "Responsibilities were assumed by…" as it can sound weak. Instead, use active voice: "The manager assumed responsibilities for…" for a stronger statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assume responsibilities" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of taking on duties, tasks, or obligations. Ludwig AI shows its frequent use in various contexts where individuals or entities are expected to handle specific duties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assume responsibilities" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the act of taking on duties, tasks, or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and formal business settings. While the phrase is versatile, it's best used in active voice to maintain clarity and strength. Alternatives like "take on duties" or "shoulder responsibilities" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use "assume responsibilities" when you want to emphasize the act of taking on specific duties or roles, often indicating a shift in responsibility or an increase in workload.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on duties

Focuses on the act of accepting specific tasks or duties.

shoulder responsibilities

Emphasizes bearing the weight or burden of responsibilities.

undertake obligations

Highlights the commitment and formal nature of the responsibilities.

take charge of tasks

Implies leadership and control over the given tasks.

accept accountability

Stresses the willingness to be held responsible for outcomes.

step up to the plate

An idiomatic expression suggesting readiness to face challenges and responsibilities.

take over management

Implies replacing someone else in a managerial role.

be in charge of affairs

Highlights the overall control and direction of activities.

handle the workload

Focuses on managing the volume of tasks and duties.

become the point person

Highlights being the main contact and responsible individual for a project or task.

FAQs

How can I use "assume responsibilities" in a sentence?

You can use "assume responsibilities" to indicate taking on duties or tasks. For instance, "After the promotion, she had to "assume responsibilities" for managing the entire team."

What are some alternatives to "assume responsibilities"?

Instead of "assume responsibilities", you could say "take on duties", "shoulder responsibilities", or "undertake obligations" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "take on responsibilities" or "assume responsibilities"?

Both "take on responsibilities" and "assume responsibilities" are correct, but "assume responsibilities" often implies a formal transfer or delegation of duties, while "take on responsibilities" can be a more general acceptance of new tasks.

What's the difference between "assume responsibility" and "assume responsibilities"?

"Assume responsibility" typically refers to accepting blame or being accountable for something, while "assume responsibilities" means taking on tasks or duties. For example, "He had to "assume responsibility" for the error" versus "He will "assume responsibilities" as the new team lead."