cede responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cede responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of giving up or transferring responsibility for a task or obligation to someone else. Example: "The manager decided to cede responsibility for the project to her assistant, allowing her to focus on other priorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This newspaper has argued that the Fed should cede responsibility for the micro management of American banks.

The Economist

The president also challenged the view, expressed in Mr. Bush's campaign, that Americans eventually ought to cede responsibility for peacekeeping duties in Bosnia and Kosovo to Europeans.

The New York Times

But because Mr. Starr has unwisely made little effort to distance himself from Mr. Scaife, he should be willing to cede responsibility for the probe.

The New York Times

They either give up on it, in the belief that their companies will inevitably become low growth, or they cede responsibility for it to the operating units.

Harvard Business Review

"We cannot cede responsibility for the use of the technology we create particularly when we have reason to believe that it is being used to aid practices so irreconcilable to our values," the employees wrote.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Unable to carry its share of the costs, the New York State government has ceded responsibility for revitalizing Governors Island to New York City — which is exactly where the responsibility belongs.

The New York Times

But those critics, including Vaughters, say the union should take the additional step of ceding responsibility for testing to a fully independent agency.

The New York Times - Sports

Guilt over collateral damage is what prompts some of them – Tony Stark, Natasha Romanoff – to sign an accord ceding responsibility for their actions to the UN.

The Guardian - Film

For example, German leaders like the conservative president of the Bundesbank, Jens Weidmann, have argued that Europe should go slowly in ceding responsibility for bank supervision to the European Central Bank.

The New York Times

Such was the power of the church, and of Archbishop John Charles McQuaid, that the state bowed before its demands, ceding responsibility for the mothers and babies to the nuns.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Although feminism was extremely important to O'Faolain, she readily acknowledged that her convictions were compromised in her dealings with men, to whom she often ceded responsibility for personal happiness.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, "cede responsibility for" is useful for describing planned or strategic shifts in duties, control, or accountability, especially where there may be resistance or reluctance.

Common error

Avoid using "cede responsibility for" if the intention is merely to delegate tasks temporarily. Ceding implies a more permanent transfer, so use phrases like "delegate" or "assign" for short-term assignments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cede responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of formally relinquishing or transferring responsibility. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts, including political, business, and personal scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cede responsibility for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating the act of relinquishing or transferring responsibility. While not exceedingly common, as Ludwig's AI confirms, it appears across news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that both the relinquishing and assuming parties are clearly identified. Remember that ceding implies a more permanent transfer than a mere delegation. Alternatives such as ""transfer responsibility to"" or "delegate authority for" might be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The phrase is more formal than informal, making it most suitable for professional or neutral communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transfer responsibility to

Emphasizes the act of moving responsibility from one party to another.

delegate authority for

Highlights the assignment of authority needed to carry out a responsibility.

relinquish control of

Focuses on giving up control or management of something.

hand over responsibility for

Suggests a more informal and direct transfer of duties.

pass on accountability for

Emphasizes the transfer of accountability for outcomes.

assign duties to

Focuses on the specific tasks being allocated.

outsource the management of

Highlights contracting out specific responsibilities to an external party.

divest oneself of responsibility for

Suggests a formal and deliberate removal of responsibility.

abandon obligations regarding

Emphasizes a complete abandonment of duties related to a specific area.

shirk duties concerning

Implies an avoidance of responsibilities, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

What does "cede responsibility for" mean?

To "cede responsibility for" means to relinquish or give up responsibility for something, transferring it to another person or entity. It implies a formal or deliberate action.

How can I use "cede responsibility for" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company decided to "transfer responsibility to" a new department" or "The government may "relinquish control of" the project to a private firm".

What are some alternatives to "cede responsibility for"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""transfer responsibility to"", "delegate authority for", or "hand over responsibility for", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "cede responsibility for" in informal conversation?

While grammatically correct, "cede responsibility for" is more suited for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "give up responsibility for" or "pass the buck" might be more appropriate.