avert responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avert responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of avoiding or preventing accountability for a particular action or situation. Example: "In an attempt to avert responsibility for the project's failure, he shifted the blame onto his team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The feeling of horror when we learn that we have been misled and as a result have put our children in harm's way in the Middle East can no longer be ignored or spun or whatever else the Bush administration is trying to do to avert responsibility.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The state, individuals and employers all share in the responsibility to avert such a crisis," he said.

Independent

Republicans charged that they had been shut out of negotiations, and Democrats insisted that the Republicans shoulder some responsibility for averting a shutdown.

The New York Times

Nor does his work offer a way of averting catastrophe through "corporate responsibility": a kind of textbook of dos and don'ts for capitalists.

The Guardian - Opinion

Take responsibility for averting a disaster.

WikiHow

And when fear threatens to grip a market, professionals have a responsibility to help avert panic.

Forbes

"We have a responsibility to both avert and ultimately address the systemic risk now posed by the scale and breadth of the holdings".

Forbes

This will avert most opportunities to shirk your responsibility as a parent.

WikiHow

In contrast, while Britain might have helped avert hostilities by clarifying its position earlier, this responsibility - even disregarding the domestic political obstacles to an alternative course - was passive rather than active.

BBC

This accorded with the ethical responsibility to reduce work stress and avert negative consequences.

BMJ Open

If the United Nations finally averts its eyes, then, and only then, will the responsibility fall to the United States.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avert responsibility", ensure the context clearly indicates the act of actively preventing or avoiding accountability, rather than simply neglecting a duty.

Common error

Avoid using "avert responsibility" when the situation involves passive neglect or failure to act. Use it when there is an active attempt to shift or escape blame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avert responsibility" functions as a verb phrase where "avert" acts as a transitive verb taking "responsibility" as its direct object. The Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts where someone is actively trying to avoid being held accountable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "avert responsibility" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe actions taken to avoid accountability. Though relatively rare, it appears primarily in news and media contexts and in formal business settings. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates its use in situations where individuals or organizations seek to escape blame or consequences. While alternatives like "avoid accountability" or "shirk responsibility" exist, "avert responsibility" specifically implies a proactive effort to prevent accountability from arising. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves active attempts to shift or escape blame, rather than simply neglecting a duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid accountability

This is a general term for not being held accountable.

shirk responsibility

This alternative implies neglecting or evading a duty or obligation.

evade accountability

This suggests actively avoiding being held accountable for one's actions.

dodge the blame

This is a more informal way of saying avoid being blamed for something.

sidestep responsibility

Suggests skillfully avoiding responsibility.

escape liability

This alternative focus on legal accountability.

deflect blame

This implies redirecting blame away from oneself.

decline responsibility

This means refusing to accept responsibility.

disclaim liability

This is a formal way of rejecting responsibility.

shift the onus

This implies transferring the responsibility to someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "avert responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "avert responsibility" to describe actions taken to avoid being held accountable for something. For example: "The company took steps to "avert responsibility" for the environmental damage caused by the oil spill."

What are some alternatives to saying "avert responsibility"?

Some alternatives to "avert responsibility" include "avoid accountability", "shirk responsibility", or "evade accountability". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more common to "avoid" or "avert" responsibility?

"Avoid" responsibility is generally more common and widely used. "Avert responsibility" suggests a more proactive effort to prevent accountability from arising in the first place.

What is the difference between "avert responsibility" and "deny responsibility"?

"Avert responsibility" implies taking actions to prevent being held accountable, while "deny responsibility" simply means refusing to accept blame after the fact.