central responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "central responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a primary or main duty or obligation that someone has in a particular context or role. Example: "As the project manager, my central responsibility is to ensure that the team meets its deadlines and delivers quality work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"It is absolutely incorrect to suggest that Mr. Rubin had central responsibility, or any central responsibility for what happened to Citigroup," Mr. Prince said.

The New York Times

A central responsibility of these loyalists is to suppress opposition to the regime.

The New York Times

The central responsibility of a director is to create a mood on set, to embody and convey a spirit.

The New Yorker

"I will certainly, if confirmed, take it as a central responsibility and the most urgent of my responsibilities to continue to press the Pakistani authorities on the Haqqani network in every way possible," Mr. Olson said.

The New York Times

It's true that he played the crucial role in secret atomic research conducted in Los Alamos, N.M., and that he would never escape central responsibility for creating the atomic bomb.

The New York Times - Books

In earlier thinking about development, it was assumed that the market mechanisms of developed economies were so unreliable in developing economies that governments had to assume central responsibility for economic activity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

This dialogue is one of the media's central responsibilities.

The New Yorker

All of these policies were probably necessary, and they were probably salable too, if Obama had seen it as one of his central responsibilities to explain how they all fit together.

The New York Times - Magazine

On the other hand, Montserrat has become more integrated in regional and international disaster risk governance systems, and today the division of local and central responsibilities for different aspects of disaster risk management is much clearer than before the volcanic crisis.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

If board members are not helping to raise money from their friends and associates, they are not performing one of the central responsibilities of board membership.

Huffington Post

Kane-Urrabazo [ 44] notes that delegating tasks is among a healthcare manager´s central responsibilities.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "central responsibility" to emphasize the most critical aspect of a job, mission, or legal obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "central responsibility" too frequently in a single document. Vary your language by using synonyms like "primary duty" or "main obligation" to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central responsibility" primarily functions as a noun phrase, designating a core duty or obligation. Ludwig AI examples show it defining key roles in organizations and governance. It can also describe a core duty or obligation that someone has in a particular context or role.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "central responsibility" is a common and correct way to describe the most important duty or obligation within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it sees frequent use in news, science, business, and encyclopedic sources. While synonyms like "primary duty" or "main obligation" exist, "central responsibility" distinctly emphasizes the core, essential nature of the obligation. When using this phrase, clearly defining the responsibility's scope helps avoid ambiguity. Although acceptable, it's best to avoid overuse by varying your wording to avoid redundancy and ensure reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main responsibility

Focuses on the primary duty, similar to central, but can imply a broader scope.

key responsibility

Emphasizes importance and significance, but may not necessarily be the only responsibility.

primary obligation

Highlights the duty aspect, suggesting a formal or moral imperative.

core duty

Stresses the fundamental nature of the responsibility, implying it's essential.

chief task

Focuses on the main activity or work that must be done.

principal role

Emphasizes the function or part played in a process or organization.

paramount duty

Indicates the highest importance and precedence among other duties.

essential function

Highlights the necessary actions or processes required for something to operate.

major undertaking

Suggests a significant task or project that requires substantial effort.

fundamental task

Implies that it's part of the base or essential function of an organization.

FAQs

How can I use "central responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "central responsibility" to denote the most important duty or obligation in a given context. For example, "The CEO's "central responsibility" is to ensure the company's profitability".

What phrases are similar to "central responsibility"?

Alternatives to "central responsibility" include "main responsibility", "key responsibility", or "primary obligation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "central responsibility" or "main responsibility"?

Both "central responsibility" and "main responsibility" are acceptable. "Central" emphasizes the core nature of the duty, while "main" simply indicates the most important one.

What is the difference between "responsibility" and "accountability"?

"Responsibility" refers to the duty to perform a task, while "accountability" implies being answerable for the outcome. One may have the "central responsibility" for a project, but also be held accountable for its success or failure.