breakdown of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "breakdown of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the division or allocation of tasks and duties among individuals or groups. Example: "The project manager provided a detailed breakdown of responsibility to ensure everyone knew their roles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"What led to this disaster was a breakdown of responsibility on the part of BP and perhaps others, including Transocean and Halliburton," he said.

The New York Times

The general thesis of the column was that a near-total breakdown of responsibility at every link in our financial chain got us here.

The New York Times

That's how we got here — a near total breakdown of responsibility at every link in our financial chain, and now we either bail out the people who brought us here or risk a total systemic crash.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It's also an example of how there isn't a clear breakdown of responsibilities when it comes to this partnership – both companies are contributing to various elements, and Oculus is doing as much on the hardware side as it is with software.

TechCrunch

It specifies actions in the areas of child protection, education, child and maternal health and HIV/AIDS, and proposes a breakdown of responsibilities for the national assembly, the government, civil society, the private sector, local leaders and parents.

Unicef

The implication is that the violence that afflicts black America reflects a failure of lower-class black culture, a breakdown of personal responsibility, a pathological trait of a criminally inclined subgroup — not a problem with social and institutional roots that needs to be addressed through collective effort well beyond the boundaries of black communities.

The New York Times

For Chuck Cornell, these stories represent a colossal breakdown of collective responsibility.

Huffington Post

In examining the role of the commercial sex industry in explaining country HIV/AIDS infection rates we may uncover the real reason for the pandemic, a breakdown of the responsibilities of a brother to his sister, a father to his daughter and a husband to his wife.

Plosone

"There has been a catastrophic breakdown of the world's collective responsibility," said Fran Equiza, a regional director at Oxfam, one of the world's largest aid organizations.

The New York Times

The lecture was titled "Group Think, Personal Responsibility and the Breakdown of Moral Order: The Crisis at Penn State".

The New York Times - Sports

The stand-off will start tomorrow with an attack on the erosion of parental responsibility and the breakdown of society.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "breakdown of responsibility" when you want to emphasize a failure in the system of accountability, not just a mistake by an individual.

Common error

Avoid using "breakdown of responsibility" when referring to individual errors. This phrase implies a systemic issue, not just a personal mistake. Instead, focus on the individual's failure to meet their obligations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "breakdown of responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where the expected system of accountability has failed. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "breakdown of responsibility" is a useful phrase for describing failures in accountability, but it's important to use it accurately and in appropriate contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used in news, business, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is responsible for what and avoid using it to describe individual errors, focusing instead on systemic issues. Related phrases such as "failure of accountability" or "lapse in responsibility" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure of accountability

Focuses on the lack of accountability as a cause of the failure.

lapse in responsibility

Emphasizes a temporary failure or pause in fulfilling responsibilities.

erosion of responsibility

Highlights a gradual decline or weakening of responsible behavior.

diffusion of responsibility

Indicates a spreading out of responsibility, leading to a lack of individual accountability.

abdication of responsibility

Suggests a complete abandonment or renunciation of duties.

division of duties

Focuses on how tasks and duties are divided among different parties.

accountability gap

Highlights the gap or discrepancy in assigned accountability.

dereliction of duty

Indicates a deliberate failure to perform assigned duties.

lack of oversight

Emphasizes the absence of proper monitoring or supervision.

failure to supervise

Highlights a failure in the supervisory aspect of responsibility.

FAQs

How can "breakdown of responsibility" affect a project?

A "breakdown of responsibility" can lead to confusion, delays, and ultimately, project failure. Clear roles and accountabilities are essential for success. Consider alternatives such as "failure of accountability".

What are synonyms for "breakdown of responsibility"?

Synonyms include phrases like "lapse in responsibility", "erosion of responsibility", and "abdication of responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "breakdown of responsibility" or "breakdown of responsibilities"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "breakdown of responsibility" refers to the general concept, while "breakdown of responsibilities" implies a more detailed analysis of specific duties. The best choice depends on the context.

What causes a "breakdown of responsibility" in a team?

Factors such as unclear roles, poor communication, lack of oversight, and conflicting priorities can contribute to a "breakdown of responsibility". Addressing these issues is crucial for restoring accountability.