assume responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assume responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has taken on the duties and obligations of a certain task or position. For example, "John assumed responsibility for the project, and he made sure it was delivered on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Murphy was obliged to assume responsibility for the firm.

The New Yorker

When should the state assume responsibility for looking after children?

The Economist

It requires Iraqis to assume responsibility for their own future.

The New York Times

It's appropriate that the leader assume responsibility for the offense.

Harvard Business Review

Bausch & Lomb will assume responsibility for marketing Catarex worldwide.

The New York Times

"Let them assume responsibility for this," he said.

The Washington Post

How could I assume responsibility for a political decision?

Yale University

Mr Clinton understands the worry: "The industrialised world alone cannot assume responsibility for reducing emissions.

The Economist

In Germany, professional club teams assume responsibility for developing young players.

The New Yorker

In April local authorities will assume responsibility for promoting public health.

The Economist

Instead, Nixon said, Mr. Richardson should "assume responsibility for the investigation" himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assume responsibility for", clearly define the specific tasks or areas for which responsibility is being taken. This avoids ambiguity and ensures everyone understands the scope of the commitment.

Common error

Avoid vaguely stating that someone will "assume responsibility for" a broad area without specifying the details. This can lead to confusion and inefficiency. Instead, break down the responsibilities into concrete tasks or measurable outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assume responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of taking on duties, obligations, and accountability. It is commonly used to express the transfer of ownership or control, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assume responsibility for" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies taking on duties and obligations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts, although it appears predominantly in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. To ensure clarity, it's important to define the specific areas of responsibility. Related phrases, like "take on responsibility for" or "shoulder the responsibility for", offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on responsibility for

This alternative directly substitutes "assume" with "take on", maintaining a high degree of similarity.

shoulder the responsibility for

This phrase uses a more figurative expression, implying bearing the burden of responsibility.

bear responsibility for

Synonymous with "shoulder the responsibility", but slightly more formal.

accept accountability for

This alternative emphasizes being answerable for outcomes, shifting focus slightly from action to consequence.

take ownership of

Focuses on claiming the task or duty as one's own, highlighting a sense of control and commitment.

be in charge of

Indicates having control and authority over a task or situation.

oversee the affairs of

This implies a broader scope of management and supervision.

be liable for

Focuses on legal or financial responsibility.

answer for

This stresses the need to explain or justify actions.

own up to

Implies acknowledging and accepting responsibility, especially for something negative.

FAQs

What does "assume responsibility for" mean?

To "assume responsibility for" something means to take on the duties, obligations, and accountability for it. It implies accepting ownership and control over a task, project, or situation.

How can I use "assume responsibility for" in a sentence?

You can use "assume responsibility for" to indicate that someone is taking charge of something. For example: "The new manager will "take responsibility for" the marketing campaign."

What are some alternatives to "assume responsibility for"?

Alternatives to "assume responsibility for" include "take on responsibility for", "shoulder the responsibility for", or "accept accountability for".

Is there a difference between "assume responsibility for" and "take responsibility for"?

While both phrases are similar, "assume responsibility for" often implies a more formal or official transfer of duties. "Take responsibility for" is more general and can refer to accepting blame or ownership of a situation. In many cases they are interchangeable, but "take responsibility for" may be used when owning mistakes.