denied responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "denied responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone refuses to take responsibility or accept accountability for something. Example sentence: John denied responsibility for the accident, even though it was clear he was to blame.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the bombing.

The New York Times

Mr. Bundy denied responsibility for her disappearance.

The New York Times

The rebels denied responsibility for the attack.

The New York Times

North Korea has denied responsibility for the sinking.

The New York Times

All have denied responsibility for the crimes.

The New York Times

The Syrian government has denied responsibility for the chemical attack.

The New York Times

The Pakistani Taliban denied responsibility for the Data Darbar attack.

The New York Times

The Taliban denied responsibility for the latest attack.

The Economist

Israel has never confirmed or denied responsibility for those assassinations.

The New York Times

Spokesmen for the Ahmars denied responsibility for the attack.

The New York Times

The Pakistani Taliban, however, denied responsibility for the latest attack.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "denied responsibility for" when you want to clearly state that someone or a group is refusing to accept blame or accountability for a specific event or action.

Common error

Ensure you have credible evidence before stating someone "denied responsibility for" something. Falsely accusing someone of denying responsibility can lead to defamation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "denied responsibility for" functions as a declarative statement where the subject (explicit or implicit) is actively refusing to accept blame or accountability for a particular action, event, or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage based on numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "denied responsibility for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a refusal to accept blame or accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news, media, and general discussions, and is considered to have a neutral register. While alternatives like "rejected accountability for" or "disclaimed liability for" exist, they carry slightly different nuances. It's crucial to accurately attribute this denial and avoid misrepresenting someone's stance, according to writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rejected accountability for

Emphasizes a firm refusal to be held accountable.

disclaimed liability for

Focuses on the legal aspect of denying responsibility.

refused to acknowledge culpability for

Highlights the refusal to admit guilt or fault.

repudiated involvement in

Suggests a complete rejection of any connection to the matter.

shirked blame for

Implies an attempt to avoid being blamed.

declined to take ownership of

Focuses on refusing to accept ownership or control.

pleaded innocence regarding

Formally asserts innocence concerning a specific issue.

absolved oneself of

Suggests a formal or legal declaration of innocence.

washed one's hands of

Idiomatic expression indicating a complete disavowal of responsibility.

passed the buck on

Informal expression meaning to shift responsibility to someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "denied responsibility for" in a sentence?

You can use "denied responsibility for" to indicate a refusal to accept blame. For instance, "The company "denied responsibility for" the pollution caused by its factory."

What are some alternatives to "denied responsibility for"?

Alternatives include "rejected accountability for", "disclaimed liability for", or "refused to acknowledge culpability for", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "deny responsibility of" instead of "denied responsibility for"?

No, the correct preposition is "for". Use "denied responsibility for". The phrase "deny responsibility of" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean when someone has "denied responsibility for" an action?

It means they are refusing to accept blame or accountability for that action. They are essentially saying they were not involved or that it wasn't their fault.