chiefly responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

"chiefly responsible" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a person, group, or thing that has the main or primary level of responsibility for something. For example, "The government is chiefly responsible for the current economic situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chiefly responsible for telling it at Sotheby's is Bennett.

The New Yorker

He was chiefly responsible for the MetroStars' fourth goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Two factors are chiefly responsible for the slowdown.

The New York Times

The independent Low Pay Commission is chiefly responsible for making recommendations for national minimum wage rates".

The Guardian

Peter Trego's responsible 89 was chiefly responsible for his side achieving maximum batting points.

The Guardian - Sport

The problem is that nearly every writer feels chiefly responsible for a script he's worked on.

The New Yorker

The person chiefly responsible for their achieachievements was their coach, William (Red) Holzman.

The New Yorker

Merchant Marine Library Association, is chiefly responsible for the publication and distribution.

The New Yorker

She was chiefly responsible for administering non-military aid such as US economic grants.

Independent

Or are Iridium's own failings chiefly responsible?Iridium's assessment of the market still seems right.

The Economist

From 1869 to 1881 he was chiefly responsible for modernizing and reorganizing Japan's fiscal system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chiefly responsible", ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is responsible for. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly responsible" when the subject shares responsibility equally with others. Use phrases like "jointly responsible" or "partially responsible" instead to accurately reflect the distribution of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly responsible" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the primary entity accountable for a specific action, outcome, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chiefly responsible" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the primary agent accountable for a particular situation or outcome. According to Ludwig, its correctness and broad applicability are well-supported by real-world examples from diverse fields, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's essential to use it judiciously, ensuring that it accurately reflects the distribution of responsibility. Alternatives like "primarily accountable" or "mainly liable" can offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily accountable

Focuses more on the accountability aspect, implying a formal responsibility.

principally in charge

Highlights the aspect of control and authority.

primarily instrumental

Emphasizes the active role in achieving a specific result.

mainly liable

Emphasizes legal or financial liability.

singularly responsible

Emphasizes that responsibility lies on one entity only.

mostly causative

Shifts the focus to the role of causing something, often an event or outcome.

fundamentally the cause

Highlights the foundational nature of the responsibility.

largely to blame

Highlights the aspect of fault or culpability.

essentially in control

Highlights the aspect of total control and authority.

mostly the reason for

More informal and directly states the cause.

FAQs

How can I use "chiefly responsible" in a sentence?

Use "chiefly responsible" to indicate that someone or something has the main responsibility for a particular outcome. For example, "The manager was chiefly responsible for the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "chiefly responsible"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily accountable", "mainly liable", or "largely to blame" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "chiefly responsible for" or "chiefly responsible of"?

The correct preposition to use with "chiefly responsible" is "for". So, you should say "chiefly responsible for".

What's the difference between "chiefly responsible" and "jointly responsible"?

"Chiefly responsible" implies that one person or entity has the main responsibility, while "jointly responsible" suggests that multiple parties share the responsibility equally.