assumes responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"assumes responsibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone taking on a duty or obligation. It is often used in professional or formal settings. Example: After her manager retired, Jane assumed responsibility for leading the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He is creative, different, and he assumes responsibility.

The Guardian - Sport

Instantly, almost proudly, his widow assumes responsibility: "Remember, I killed him," she says to Paula.

The New Yorker

After that the new funding arrangement begins, as the BBC assumes responsibility for the majority of S4C's funding.

The Guardian

But it still has a long way to go before it fully assumes responsibility for itself and its future.

The New York Times

If the vendor assumes responsibility for the delivery of the inputs, the buyer's logistics staff monitors the delivering carrier's performance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Critics of auctions argue that they compromise a lead plaintiff's ability to direct the course of litigation, because the court assumes responsibility for choosing lawyers.

The New York Times

If a doctor assumes responsibility for only a minority of her patients, then there is little financial incentive to participate in P4P.

The New York Times

Weighed down by its own po-facedness and a misguided sense of social importance, it reluctantly assumes responsibility for a motley crew of lyrics and power chords.

The Guardian - Music

Under the deal, the market for smaller growth stocks is to be based in Frankfurt while London assumes responsibility for blue-chip stocks.

The New York Times

A basic principle of the new Computer Information Systems Internet Secrecy Administrative Regulations is that "whoever puts it on the Internet assumes responsibility".

The New York Times

Working without assistants, Blahnik assumes responsibility for every shoe he designs, down to the chiselling of the wooden lasts from which the shoes are made.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assumes responsibility", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific duties or obligations are being taken on. Be precise in defining the scope of the responsibility to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "assumes responsibility" without specifying what exactly is being taken on. Saying someone "assumes responsibility" without context can create confusion and hinder effective delegation or accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assumes responsibility" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of accepting a duty, obligation, or task. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts where individuals or entities take on specific responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assumes responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of taking on a duty or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently used in neutral and professional contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. While alternative phrases like "takes charge" or "accepts accountability" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance desired. When using "assumes responsibility", ensure the context clearly defines the scope of the responsibility to avoid ambiguity. The most authoritative sources, according to Ludwig, include The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its prevalence in quality journalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accepts accountability

Focuses on being answerable for outcomes or actions.

shoulders the responsibility

Emphasizes the act of bearing the weight of responsibility.

takes on the onus

This alternative implies accepting a difficult or burdensome task.

takes ownership

Highlights the aspect of personal accountability and control.

takes charge

This suggests taking control or leadership of a situation.

takes upon oneself

Indicates a voluntary acceptance of a task or duty.

takes control

Highlights the aspect of managing and directing.

embraces the obligation

Suggests willingly accepting a duty or requirement.

bears the burden

Implies carrying a heavy responsibility or hardship.

steps up to the plate

Idiomatic expression for taking action and responsibility, especially in a challenging situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "assume responsibility"?

To "assume responsibility" means to accept a duty, obligation, or task and take charge of it. It implies being accountable for the outcomes and actions related to that duty.

How to use "assumes responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "assumes responsibility" to indicate that someone is taking on a task, duty, or obligation. For example: "The new manager "assumes responsibility" for the team's performance."

What can I say instead of "assumes responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "takes charge", "accepts accountability", or "shoulders the responsibility" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "assumes responsibility" or "takes responsibility"?

Both "assumes responsibility" and "takes responsibility" are correct and widely used. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "assumes responsibility" can sometimes imply a more formal or official transfer of duty.