cleared of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleared of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is no longer held accountable for a particular action or situation. Example: "After the investigation, the employee was cleared of responsibility for the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Effectively cleared of responsibility, the Conservatives pushed back hard.

The Guardian

Huraisi had been kicked in the head by 10 members of the government militia (which was later cleared of responsibility for his death).

The Guardian - Opinion

This month, he was cleared of responsibility for the killings of 239 people during the protests that ended his 30-year rule.

The New York Times

The company said in a statement that it disagreed with the determination and had been cleared of responsibility by state and federal authorities, but that it would not comment further because of pending litigation.

The New York Times

Several blocks from the Blue House, the center of presidential power here, political activists gathered signatures today for a petition demanding the surrender to the Korean authorities of the two sergeants whom a United States military court cleared of responsibility in the deaths.

The New York Times

Thomas Cook was cleared of responsibility in relation to the deaths.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

But the driver of the tractor-trailer was later cleared of any responsibility in the accident.

The New York Times

I want to make sure that our presidents are cleared of all responsibility in this".

The New York Times - Arts

In 2007 Mr. Berlusconi, who is now 73, was cleared of criminal responsibility in the case because the charges had elapsed under the Italian statute of limitations.

The New York Times

Newman was cleared of any responsibility of the murder, but he has persistently defended Paul Jennings Hill, who also murdered an abortion doctor in 1994.

Vice

Cleared of any responsibility for McKay's death, Byrne collected his £200 prize money, and as the winner earned the right to fight the English heavyweight champion Jem Ward.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cleared of responsibility", clearly state the specific incident or area of responsibility to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The company was cleared of responsibility for the environmental damage after the investigation concluded."

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "cleared of responsibility" in one area automatically implies innocence or lack of responsibility in all related areas. Specify the context to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared of responsibility" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, typically following a linking verb (e.g., "was", "is", "were"). It describes the state or condition of a subject, indicating they have been released from accountability or blame. Ludwig AI confirms that "cleared of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English. For example, "Thomas Cook was cleared of responsibility."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cleared of responsibility" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression indicating the release from accountability for a specific action or event. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence in news and media sources makes it a neutral to formal expression, though it can be adapted for more informal contexts as needed. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define the scope of responsibility to avoid any misunderstandings. Related phrases, such as "exonerated from blame" or "absolved of guilt", offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declared blameless

This highlights the absence of any fault or wrongdoing.

exonerated from blame

This phrase implies a formal declaration of innocence, often after an investigation.

absolved of guilt

This suggests a formal or legal forgiveness for a wrongdoing.

vindicated

This indicates that someone has been proven right or justified after initial doubt or accusation.

found not liable

This is a legal term indicating no legal responsibility for damages or harm.

acquitted

This term specifically refers to being found not guilty in a court of law.

absolved of accountability

This emphasizes the release from having to answer for one's actions.

released from duty

This suggests the release from certain obligations, not necessarily blame.

freed from obligation

Indicates a release from a binding agreement or commitment.

given a clean bill of health

This idiom means to have been declared fit, without problems, but only metaphorically shares meaning with the query.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "cleared of responsibility"?

To be "cleared of responsibility" means that an individual or entity has been formally declared not accountable or liable for a particular action, event, or outcome. It often follows an investigation or review.

What are some synonyms for "cleared of responsibility"?

Alternatives to "cleared of responsibility" include "exonerated from blame", "absolved of guilt", "vindicated", and "found not liable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "cleared of responsibility" different from "absolved of guilt"?

"Cleared of responsibility" generally refers to being free from accountability for an action or event, while "absolved of guilt" specifically implies freedom from blame for a wrongdoing. The former is broader, the latter is more specific to culpability.

Can you be "cleared of responsibility" without being proven innocent?

Yes, it's possible. Being "cleared of responsibility" might mean there isn't enough evidence to prove liability or that someone else was deemed responsible, even if complete innocence isn't established. It doesn't necessarily equate to being proven innocent.