basically responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a general or fundamental level of responsibility in a situation or context. Example: "While there are many factors at play, she is basically responsible for the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

More difficult, however, are situations where all the siblings are basically responsible and get along, but where one or more are better off financially than the others.

The New York Times

In 1862 they built a crude plant at Heleneborg, Sweden; Alfred, a chemist, was basically responsible for the design of this factory that was efficient and relatively safe considering the state of knowledge of the times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since co-op shareholders are basically responsible for everything in the apartment from the walls in, the shareholder would be responsible for wallpaper, carpeting, light fixtures, built-in appliances like ranges and stand-alone appliances like refrigerators.

The New York Times

Does government need to intervene at all? MR. ROACH -- This is classic election-year posturing by a Congress that is basically responsible for the problem itself and doesn't want to admit it.

The New York Times

Matt Keating The Common Good: March 21 2001 Group manger, waste management, Bristol Salary: £38,000 I'm basically responsible for the management, operation and development of all aspects of waste collection for Bristol city council.

The Guardian

Throw in the three authors whose initials include either a "J" or an "R" but not both, and you could argue that those two letters — just 7.7 percent of the alphabet — are basically responsible for half of this week's fiction list.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Why plan for adulthood, think about marriage and having kids, or do basically anything responsible if a proto-fascist is on his way to the White House?

Vice

Panboys generously extend their hate beyond the fans themselves to include a broad array of filmmakers, actors, producers, screenwriters, basically everyone responsible for bringing the despised film to the silver screen, right down to the unpaid intern holding Ben Affleck's Gatorade bottle.

Huffington Post

You're basically seen as responsible for starting all this".

The New York Times

Enhanced Recovery Company made the argument that, basically, holding them responsible for repeatedly calling the wrong people would set a bad precedent, and cost the industry too much money.

The New York Times

One of the more spicy sections of the law involved peer-to-peer use, and how it basically makes ISPs responsible for what their customers download.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "basically responsible" when you want to convey a general or fundamental level of responsibility without implying complete or sole accountability. It suggests a primary but not necessarily exclusive role.

Common error

Avoid using "basically responsible" when complete or sole responsibility is intended. In such cases, opt for phrases like "fully responsible" or "solely accountable" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically responsible" functions as an adverb-adjective combination that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the extent of someone's accountability. As Ludwig AI points out, this combination is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basically responsible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate a significant, though not necessarily exclusive, level of accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended degree of responsibility. Alternatives like "primarily accountable" or "largely responsible" may offer more precision depending on the situation. Remember that while "basically responsible" suggests a key role, it does not necessarily imply sole ownership of the outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily accountable

Focuses on accountability as the main aspect, highlighting the obligation to answer for something.

largely accountable

Emphasizes the extent of accountability, suggesting a significant portion of the responsibility.

mainly liable

Highlights legal or financial obligation, shifting the focus to potential repercussions.

chiefly in charge

Focuses on the aspect of leadership and control, emphasizing the role of managing something.

essentially answerable

Emphasizes the fundamental requirement to provide an explanation or justification.

generally in control

Suggests overall management and oversight, but with a broader scope than direct responsibility.

mostly to blame

Points towards culpability, assigning the majority of fault for an undesirable outcome.

substantially at fault

Focuses on the degree of error or negligence, highlighting a significant contribution to a negative result.

fundamentally culpable

Emphasizes a deep, underlying blameworthiness, often in legal or ethical contexts.

effectively in the lead

Highlights the practical control and direction exercised, focusing on leadership role.

FAQs

How can I use "basically responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "basically responsible" to indicate a primary level of accountability. For example, "She is "basically responsible" for the project's success, although other team members contribute significantly."

What are some alternatives to "basically responsible"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "primarily accountable", "largely accountable", or "mainly liable".

Is it correct to say "basically responsible"?

Yes, the phrase "basically responsible" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate a general or fundamental level of responsibility.

What does "basically responsible" mean?

"Basically responsible" implies that someone has a key role in ensuring something occurs or is handled appropriately. It does not necessarily imply sole responsibility, but rather a primary level of involvement.