deny responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

"deny responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that you are not responsible or do not accept responsibility for something. Example: The company denied responsibility for the data breach.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

When their attacks do kill large numbers of civilians, the Taliban tend to deny responsibility for them, even when they are responsible.

The New York Times

He and the co-accused deny responsibility for the deaths.

Independent

The regime continued to deny responsibility for the chemical attacks.

The New Yorker

All the Islamic groups with an official presence here deny responsibility for the recent violence.

The New York Times

Two or more jurisdictions may claim the right to share out an estate (or all may deny responsibility for it).

The Economist

Best of all, from the state's point of view, is that it can deny responsibility for the attacks.

The Economist

Lawyers said defendants can lose credibility with juries if they deny responsibility for a crime they are later convicted of.

The New York Times

Two people claiming to be Shining Path members called CPN radio to deny responsibility for the attack.

The New York Times

"I cannot see how in those circumstances they should be entitled to deny responsibility for the decisions which he made".

The New York Times

Hotels that outsource cleaning, for instance, deny responsibility for the working conditions of those employed under their roofs.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hezbollah has denied responsibility for the bombing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deny responsibility for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific action or outcome the responsibility is being denied for. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "deny responsibility for" in vague situations where the scope of responsibility is unclear. State specifically what you are not responsible for, to avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deny responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase, typically used with a subject (person, organization, etc.) and an object (the action, event, or outcome for which responsibility is being denied). Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deny responsibility for" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that serves to disclaim blame or liability, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Analysis of its usage reveals its frequent presence in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts. While grammatically straightforward, clarity is key; it’s best practice is to be explicit about the action or event you are denying responsibility for. Consider alternatives like "disclaim liability for" or "refuse to accept blame for" to fine-tune the meaning. As demonstrated in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase is essential for clear and accurate communication regarding accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disclaim liability for

Focuses specifically on legal or financial responsibility.

Repudiate accountability for

Emphasizes a formal rejection of being held accountable.

Refuse to accept blame for

Highlights the act of avoiding blame.

Reject culpability for

Formal and legalistic, emphasizing innocence.

Evade ownership of

Implies an attempt to dodge acknowledgment or association with something.

Decline to acknowledge liability for

A more elaborate way of refusing legal or moral obligation.

Shrink from acknowledging fault for

Indicates an unwillingness to admit wrongdoing.

Avoid being implicated in

Focuses on preventing association with a negative outcome.

Pass the buck regarding

Informal, implying the shifting of responsibility to someone else.

Distance oneself from accountability for

Highlights creating separation from responsibility.

FAQs

What does it mean to "deny responsibility for" something?

To "deny responsibility for" something means to refuse to accept that you are the cause of it or that it is your fault. It implies a refusal to be held accountable for a particular action or outcome.

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

You can use "deny responsibility for" to indicate that someone or something is not admitting fault or causation. For example, "The company "denied responsibility for" the environmental damage."

What are some alternatives to "deny responsibility for"?

Alternatives include "disclaim liability for", "refuse to accept blame for", or "repudiate accountability for", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "deny responsibility for" and "deny accountability for"?

While similar, "deny responsibility for" focuses on refusing to accept that you caused something, whereas "deny accountability for" focuses on refusing to be held answerable for the consequences. The nuance lies in causation versus obligation.