chiefly responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is mainly responsible for a certain action or task. For example, "The CEO was chiefly responsible for the success of the company's rebranding efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

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

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF Party is chiefly responsible for this deterioration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly define the scope of responsibility to avoid overstating or understating someone's role.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly responsible for" when the subject's influence is only partial or indirect. Instead, opt for terms like "contributed to" or "played a role in" to more accurately reflect their level of involvement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly responsible for" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. According to Ludwig, it indicates the primary agent or cause of a particular outcome or situation. It's used to assign a significant level of accountability to someone or something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chiefly responsible for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote primary accountability or causation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys the idea of being the main agent behind a specific outcome. While versatile, clarity in defining the scope of responsibility is essential. Its usage spans across diverse domains, notably in news, scientific, and business contexts, establishing its relevance in both formal and informal communication. Alternatives such as "primarily accountable for" or "largely responsible for" can offer nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily accountable for

Focuses on accountability as the main aspect, shifting the emphasis from simple responsibility.

principally accountable for

Similar to 'primarily accountable' but carries a slightly more formal tone.

largely responsible for

Indicates a significant degree of responsibility, but not necessarily the most significant.

mainly liable for

Emphasizes legal or formal liability, which can be more specific than general responsibility.

primarily in charge of

Highlights the aspect of being in control or having authority over something.

instrumental in

Suggests a key role in enabling or facilitating a particular outcome.

a major factor in

Identifies the subject as a significant contributing element, rather than the sole responsible party.

the main cause of

Indicates direct causation, which is a stronger claim than simply being responsible.

the driving force behind

Highlights the energy and initiative provided, rather than just the responsibility.

the key person in

Emphasizes the importance of a person's role, but not necessarily their responsibility.

FAQs

What does "chiefly responsible for" mean?

The phrase "chiefly responsible for" means that someone or something is the main or primary cause or agent of something. It indicates a high degree of accountability.

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

You can use "chiefly responsible for" to indicate the main cause or the person/entity with the most accountability for something. For example, "The new marketing strategy was "primarily responsible for" the company's increased sales."

What are some alternatives to "chiefly responsible for"?

Some alternatives to "chiefly responsible for" include "mainly accountable for", "primarily liable for", or "largely responsible for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "chiefly responsible for" and "partly responsible for"?

"Chiefly responsible for" indicates the main or primary responsibility, while "partly responsible for" indicates a shared or partial responsibility. The former signifies a greater degree of accountability than the latter.