be responsible for it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be responsible for it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating accountability or obligation regarding a specific task or situation. Example: "As the project manager, you will be responsible for it and ensure that all deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Monosodium glutamate may be responsible for it.

The New Yorker

Now it's up to us to be responsible for it".

The New York Times - Arts

"Somebody should be responsible for it," he said.

The New York Times

You'll have nothing to do with this mess anymore, you won't be responsible for it.

The Guardian - Sport

Milk drinking may be responsible for it, or possibly soda pop may have done it.

The New Yorker

"The subject is too enormous, and I can't be responsible for it," Ms. Miyagawa said.

The New York Times

"This is our neighborhood, and we need to be responsible for it".

The New York Times

"You don't have to own property to care for it and be responsible for it".

The New York Times

Milk drinking may be responsible for it, or possibly soda pop… NOTES FOR A GAZETTEER.

The New Yorker

"The idea that life can be better than it is if we choose to be responsible for it.

The Guardian - Film

"If I have problems returning to my country, the government of the United States will be responsible for it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be responsible for it" when you want to emphasize the accountability and ownership of a task or outcome. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal settings, but ensure the context aligns with the level of formality.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "be responsible for it" implies absolute control. Clarify the extent of the responsibility. For instance, instead of simply stating "You'll "be responsible for it"", specify "You'll "be responsible for it", including managing the budget and coordinating with stakeholders."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be responsible for it" functions primarily as a predicate adjective phrase. It assigns a state of accountability or duty to a subject. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in assigning roles or clarifying obligations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be responsible for it" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate accountability or duty for a specific task or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as science. While semantically similar alternatives like "be liable for it" or "take responsibility for it" exist, they carry slightly different nuances of legal obligation or active acceptance of accountability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what "it" refers to and the scope of the associated responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be liable for it

Focuses on legal or financial obligation.

be accountable for it

Emphasizes being answerable for actions and outcomes.

take responsibility for it

Highlights the act of accepting accountability.

be held responsible for it

Suggests an external imposition of accountability.

bear responsibility for it

Implies enduring or carrying the burden of accountability.

answer for it

Suggests being called upon to explain or justify actions.

be the cause of it

Focuses on being the origin or reason behind something.

be to blame for it

Attributes fault or culpability.

be in charge of it

Indicates having control and oversight.

oversee it

Highlights the supervisory role in ensuring proper execution.

FAQs

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

You can use "be responsible for it" to indicate that someone has a duty to take care of something, such as "The project manager will "be responsible for it" and make sure deadlines are met."

What's a more formal way to say "be responsible for it"?

In a more formal context, you could use phrases like "be liable for it" or "be accountable for it" to convey a similar meaning with increased formality.

Is it better to say "be responsible for it" or "take responsibility for it"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""be responsible for it"" implies a pre-existing duty, while "take responsibility for it" suggests actively accepting accountability for something that has already occurred.

What does "be responsible for it" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, ""be responsible for it"" often implies legal liability, meaning someone is legally obligated to compensate for damages or losses related to the thing they're responsible for.