basically responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "basically responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a primary or fundamental responsibility for a task or situation, often in a more informal context. Example: "In our project, I am basically responsible for coordinating the team and ensuring deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

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

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

If the songs that aren't about relationships collapsing or Jack White swearing himself off women are to be believed, the fairer sex are basically responsible for every evil in the world, up to and including causing lifeboats to deflate with their high-heeled shoes.

The Guardian - Music

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

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

Basically, prison is responsible for more chaos than anything else.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "basically responsible for", ensure that the context clearly defines the scope of responsibility to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about what tasks or outcomes fall under this responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "basically responsible for" when the individual or entity has only partial or indirect responsibility. This can lead to misrepresentation and create unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "basically responsible for" functions as a descriptor, assigning a primary, though not necessarily exclusive, accountability. Ludwig AI examples show the phrase describing roles, tasks, and even the causes of specific phenomena.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

29%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "basically responsible for" is a common expression used to denote a primary level of accountability or causation. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and functions as a descriptor across diverse contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While less formal than alternatives like "primarily accountable for", the phrase's widespread use makes it a versatile option for assigning responsibility. When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide enough context to clarify the specific duties or area of oversight to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mainly responsible for

A direct synonym, replacing 'basically' with 'mainly' to indicate the primary but not exclusive responsibility.

primarily responsible for

Focuses on the primary or main responsibility, similar to 'mainly responsible'.

largely responsible for

Replacing 'basically' with 'largely' to indicate a significant degree of responsibility.

principally responsible for

A more formal alternative, using 'principally' to denote the main or most important responsibility.

primarily accountable for

Emphasizes the aspect of being held to account, highlighting a formal obligation.

chiefly responsible for

A stronger emphasis, using 'chiefly' to suggest the highest level of responsibility.

chiefly liable for

Suggests a legal or formal responsibility, often in situations of potential blame.

largely in charge of

Focuses on control and management, implying a leading role in a particular area.

fundamentally answerable for

Highlights the core responsibility, suggesting that it's a foundational aspect of their role.

essentially the person in control of

This option emphasizes the control and directive aspect of the responsibilities.

FAQs

What does "basically responsible for" mean?

The phrase "basically responsible for" indicates a primary level of accountability for something, but it might not be the sole or ultimate responsibility. It suggests a foundational role in ensuring a task or outcome.

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

You can use it to describe someone's main duties. For example, "In this project, I am "primarily accountable for" coordinating the team and meeting deadlines."

Which phrases can replace "basically responsible for"?

Alternatives include "mainly responsible for", "chiefly liable for", or "largely in charge of", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "responsible for" and "basically responsible for"?

While "responsible for" implies a general accountability, "basically responsible for" suggests a core or fundamental level of responsibility. It may indicate that others share the responsibility, but this person or entity is at the heart of it.