attribution of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attribution of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing who is accountable for a particular action or outcome. Example: "The attribution of responsibility for the project's failure was a contentious issue among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Social acceptance of different management scenarios, distribution of costs and benefits, and attribution of responsibility are discussed.

Journal of Environmental Management

What is missing, even more than a precise attribution of responsibility, is any notion of accountability, which is what the Mothers of Srebrenica seemed to be asking for.

The New Yorker

This opens an opportunity for consistent ethical pressure and for the attribution of responsibility to human beings and not to inanimate objects.

The Guardian - Opinion

You chose to capitalize Muslim in your attribution of responsibility for the Sept. 11 attack; but it was the radicalism of Al Qaeda, which is like fringe religious radicalism of all types, that led to that attack– not the practice of Islam.

University of California, Berkeley

By preventing the attribution of responsibility for certain fortuitously-caused harms, proximate cause doctrine thus limits liability to instances in which there is not merely wrongful conduct on the part of the tortfeasor, but wrongful conduct towards - i.e., a wronging of - the victim.

Harvard University

The attribution of responsibility on causal grounds is not confined to law.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Moreover, the applicability of watermarks in the chain of security protocols still demands further study, since the existing watermarking schemes do not allow for the attribution of responsibilities in cases of misuse of the artifact.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

The narrative is, in judicial terms (pitched, as it is, at a notional jury), a disavowal or diminution of responsibility on behalf of the accused, or a re-attribution of responsibility.

The New York Times

From changed expectations to attributions of responsibility", Cognition, In Press.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For his part, Trump again absolved Russia of culpability for the hack on Wednesday, though it is unclear if the intelligence briefings he attends include internal attributions of responsibility beyond the October statement.

The Guardian

Its aim is to draw together Berkeley faculty and graduate students studying the "moral emotions" – pride, shame, guilt, and anger – as well as related concepts and motivations, such as attributions of responsibility, altruism, self-interest, virtue, and character.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attribution of responsibility" when a formal or objective assessment of accountability is required, especially in legal, ethical, or scientific contexts.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping generalizations about "attribution of responsibility" without specific evidence or analysis. Ensure your attributions are supported by facts and logical reasoning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attribution of responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the act of assigning or ascribing accountability for an action, event, or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attribution of responsibility" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that signifies the act of assigning accountability. Ludwig AI supports its correctness and applicability across various domains. While not extremely common, it is frequently found in scientific, academic, and news-related contexts, indicating a formal and analytical tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overly broad attributions, providing specific evidence to support your claims. Alternatives such as "assigning responsibility" or "determining accountability" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assigning responsibility

Focuses on the act of assigning, rather than the abstract concept of attribution.

determining accountability

Highlights the process of establishing who is answerable for an action or outcome.

establishing culpability

Emphasizes identifying fault or blame in a particular situation.

identifying the responsible party

Directly points to the actor or entity held accountable.

pinpointing liability

Focuses on legal or financial responsibility.

ascertaining causality

Highlights the process of discovering the cause-and-effect relationship.

locating the source of accountability

Emphasizes finding where accountability originates.

fixing the blame

Directly indicates assigning blame for a negative outcome.

imputing responsibility

Suggests ascribing responsibility, often based on inference.

placing the onus

Indicates placing a burden or obligation of responsibility.

FAQs

How is "attribution of responsibility" used in academic writing?

In academic writing, "attribution of responsibility" is frequently used when analyzing events, policies, or actions, focusing on identifying who is accountable and why. It is commonly used in fields like political science, sociology, and ethics.

What's the difference between "attribution of responsibility" and "assigning blame"?

"Attribution of responsibility" is a more neutral term that focuses on identifying who is accountable for an action or outcome, whether positive or negative. "Assigning blame", on the other hand, specifically implies assigning fault or culpability for something negative.

What are some alternative phrases for "attribution of responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "assigning responsibility", "determining accountability", or "establishing culpability" depending on the context.

In what contexts is "attribution of responsibility" particularly important?

"Attribution of responsibility" is critical in contexts such as legal proceedings, project management, ethical debates, and historical analysis, where understanding accountability is essential for decision-making and learning from past events.