bear responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear responsibility for" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is responsible for a certain action or outcome. For example, "The manager must bear responsibility for the mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Both sides bear responsibility for this mess.

Independent

But he must bear responsibility for the enduring mess.

The New York Times

"The Palestinians bear responsibility for not entering the talks.

The New York Times

Riders bear responsibility for their own safety, too.

The New York Times - Travel

Like everyone else, though, lawyers bear responsibility for their decisions.

The New York Times

Do media outlets bear responsibility for their output?

The Guardian

Yet, banks have never acted as if they bear responsibility for the mortgage mess.

The New York Times

"They bear responsibility for the terrible events in Houla," he said.

Independent

Manufacturers should bear responsibility for making sure their drugs are safe and effective.

The New York Times

President Obama refused to investigate Bush administration officials who bear responsibility for authorizing human rights abuses.

The New York Times

"They bear responsibility for this," said Mr. Luaibi, referring to Kurdish authorities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "be responsible for" or "be held accountable for" as alternatives, as they may be perceived as more direct and less figurative.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "bear responsibility for" in casual conversations can sound overly formal or even pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be responsible for" or "take the blame for" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase indicating accountability or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s a standard expression. Examples in Ludwig show its use in assigning blame, duty, or liability for actions and outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bear responsibility for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal and professional contexts and appears most often in news and media sources. While alternatives such as "be responsible for" and "be held accountable for" exist, "bear responsibility for" carries a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the scope of accountability to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be responsible for

A more direct and common synonym for indicating accountability.

shoulder responsibility for

Emphasizes the act of taking on responsibility or burden.

be accountable for

Focuses on being answerable for specific actions or results.

be held accountable for

Highlights the aspect of being answerable and potentially facing consequences.

be liable for

Focuses on legal or financial responsibility.

answer for

Suggests a need to explain or justify one's actions.

take ownership of

Implies accepting responsibility and actively managing the situation.

be in charge of

Indicates having control and therefore being responsible for outcomes.

be to blame for

Indicates fault or culpability for a negative outcome.

take the rap for

An informal way to express taking responsibility, often for something negative.

FAQs

What does "bear responsibility for" mean?

To "bear responsibility for" means to accept accountability for something, whether it's a task, decision, or outcome. It implies a duty to answer for the results.

What can I say instead of "bear responsibility for"?

You can use alternatives like "be responsible for", "be held accountable for", or "shoulder responsibility for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "bear responsibilities for"?

While grammatically understandable, "bear responsibilities for" is less common than "bear responsibility for". The singular form emphasizes the overall accountability, while the plural can suggest specific duties. Consider rephrasing for clarity if using the plural.

How do I use "bear responsibility for" in a sentence?

Use "bear responsibility for" to indicate that someone or something is accountable for an action or result. For example, "The manager must "bear responsibility for" the team's performance."