be responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone taking ownership and accepting accountability for a task or situation. For example, "As the manager, I am responsible for ensuring customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monosodium glutamate may be responsible for it.

The New Yorker

They like to be responsible for something.

The New York Times

commander will be responsible for this.

The New York Times

Can a coach be responsible for that?

The New York Times - Sports

Could this be responsible for gold's tumble?

The New Yorker

— be responsible for one (1) whole dish.

The New Yorker

Trinity will be responsible for maintenance.

The New York Times

He will be responsible for business development.

The New York Times

How can I be responsible for everything?

The New York Times

What will your team be responsible for?

Harvard Business Review

Students will be responsible for presenting papers.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning responsibility, clearly define the scope to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "be responsible for project budget" rather than just "be responsible."

Common error

Don't assume that assigning a task automatically makes someone "responsible for" the outcome. Clearly define expectations and ensure the person has the resources and authority to fulfill the responsibility.

How to use

Learn how to use "be responsible for" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be responsible for" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating a state of obligation or duty. It connects a subject to a specific responsibility or outcome. Ludwig confirms its accurate usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be responsible for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate accountability, duty, or causation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is widely accepted in English writing. The phrase is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and business, as shown by the numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the scope of responsibility to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as ""be accountable for"" or ""be in charge of"" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be accountable for

Focuses more on justifying actions or outcomes.

be held accountable for

More formal and emphasizes the expectation of accountability.

be liable for

Implies legal or financial responsibility.

take responsibility for

Emphasizes the act of assuming accountability.

bear the responsibility for

Emphasizes carrying the weight or burden of responsibility.

be in charge of

Highlights the aspect of control and management.

be tasked with

Stresses the assignment of a specific duty.

be the cause of

Shifts the focus to being the origin of something.

be to blame for

Suggests fault or culpability for a negative outcome.

answer for

Implies having to explain or justify actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "be responsible for" to indicate that someone has a duty to take care of something or is the cause of something. For example, "The manager will "be responsible for" the team's performance."

What are some alternatives to "be responsible for"?

Some alternatives include "be accountable for", "be in charge of", or "be liable for", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "be responsible for" and "be accountable for"?

"Be responsible for" typically means having a duty to handle something, while ""be accountable for"" implies having to answer for the results or outcomes.

Is it correct to say "is responsibility for" instead of "be responsible for"?

No, "is responsibility for" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase is ""be responsible for"", which indicates a duty or obligation.