chain of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"chain of responsibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the idea that each person within a group or organization has a specific role and responsibility, and that they are accountable for their actions within that role. Example: In order to ensure a smooth workflow, it is important to establish a clear chain of responsibility within the team. John is responsible for collecting data, Sarah is in charge of analyzing the data, and Emily is responsible for reporting the findings to management. This chain of responsibility ensures that each task is completed efficiently and accurately.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

A casual observer would have been forgiven for seeing, in this picture, a coordinated response: a single, unified government fully in control, with a clear chain of responsibility.

The Guardian

The chain of responsibility was sometimes left unclear.

The New York Times - Magazine

What's essential is an absolutely clear-cut chain of responsibility.

The Economist

But the chain of responsibility goes much further.

The New York Times

And, as in the case of regulation, it confuses the chain of responsibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Church lawyers, dubbed the Untouchables, alleged a chain of responsibility reaching up to the president.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Miles told the ABC the case showed the significance of his government's chain-of-responsibility reforms in protecting taxpayers from the costs of failed resource projects.

The Guardian

Effective TB-IPC requires adherence to measures which should be regarded as a chain of responsibilities, involving healthcare staff and decision-makers, as well as patients, and society [ 10].

BMC Public Health

For example, there were marked improvements in the policy-making process through the establishing of working groups around technical topics which set up action plans, deadlines and clarified chains of responsibility; this fostered improvements in leadership style which became more cooperative and 'democratic' than previously.

Human Resources for Health

Under the new chain of command, responsibility would be divided among five people.

The New York Times

Gradually, Tony assembles his willfully forgotten past impressions and actions, joining together the links that connect him to these people, as if trying to form a "chain of individual responsibilities" that might explain how it happened that his life's modest wages had resulted in "the accumulation, the multiplication, of loss".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When defining roles within a project, clearly map out the "chain of responsibility" to ensure each team member understands their duties and who they report to. This prevents overlap and gaps in coverage.

Common error

Avoid using "chain of responsibility" interchangeably with "chain of command". While both involve hierarchy, "chain of responsibility" focuses on who is accountable for specific tasks, whereas "chain of command" refers to the order in which authority is exercised.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chain of responsibility" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a structured system for assigning accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts requiring clarity in task delegation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

News & Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chain of responsibility" is a noun phrase denoting a structured system where accountability is clearly assigned. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts. Appearing frequently in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral register, indicating its widespread applicability. Related phrases include "chain of duty" and "line of accountability", offering nuanced alternatives. A key writing tip is to avoid confusing it with "chain of command", which emphasizes authority rather than accountability. Understanding and implementing a clear "chain of responsibility" is vital for streamlined processes and avoiding confusion within organizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chain of duty

Replaces "responsibility" with "duty", emphasizing moral or legal obligations.

chain of liability

Substitutes "responsibility" with "liability", focusing on legal accountability.

chain of command

Emphasizes the hierarchical structure in which orders are passed down.

chain of obligation

Replaces "responsibility" with "obligation", highlighting a sense of commitment.

chain of leadership

Focuses on the role of leaders in the hierarchical structure.

series of responsibility

Uses "series" instead of "chain", changing the metaphor while retaining the core meaning.

network of responsibility

Replaces "chain" with "network", suggesting a more interconnected system.

hierarchy of responsibility

Highlights the hierarchical nature of the responsibility distribution.

line of accountability

Focuses specifically on the path of accountability within an organization.

accountability structure

Shifts the focus to the overall structure that defines accountability.

FAQs

How can I use "chain of responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "chain of responsibility" to clarify who is accountable for what in a process. For example: "The company established a clear "chain of responsibility" to ensure each step of the project was properly managed."

What is the difference between "chain of command" and "chain of responsibility"?

While both terms relate to organizational structure, "chain of command" refers to the hierarchy of authority, while "chain of responsibility" refers to the assignment and accountability for specific tasks or duties.

What can I say instead of "chain of responsibility"?

Alternatives to "chain of responsibility" include "line of accountability", "hierarchy of responsibility", or "accountability structure", depending on the specific context.

Why is it important to define the "chain of responsibility" in a project?

Defining the "chain of responsibility" helps to avoid confusion, ensures accountability, and facilitates efficient management by clarifying who is responsible for each task and decision.