escape responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "escape responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone who is trying to avoid the consequences of their actions. For example, "The teenagers thought they could escape responsibility for their actions by blaming each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But his society cannot escape responsibility for those crimes.

The New York Times

And architects, Mr. Ferguson believes, cannot escape responsibility.

The New York Times - Arts

Isolation has helped them to stoke paranoia, justify repression and escape responsibility for their peoples' suffering.

The Economist

"I'm not trying to escape responsibility, but Judy was a very active client.

The New Yorker

Executives are being allowed to escape responsibility for wrongdoing no matter how egregious.

The New York Times

Companies like Wells Fargo "use these fine-print gotchas to escape responsibility", said Clinton.

The Guardian - Business

No longer could they escape responsibility if fraud occurred inside the smaller shops for which they provided capital.

The New York Times

But when East Germany finally implodes, she cannot escape responsibility for her earlier terrorism in the West.

The New York Times

"Despite the fact that it did not operate the plant, Union Carbide never attempted to escape responsibility for the disaster.

The New York Times

"But Mr. Aso has consistently tried to escape responsibility," Mr. Fujita said Friday in a telephone interview.

The New York Times

But he cannot escape responsibility for the total abdication of meaningful political leadership on an issue of such overarching importance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "escape responsibility", ensure the context clearly indicates who is attempting to avoid accountability and for what specific action or obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "escape responsibility" when the issue is a lack of awareness or understanding, rather than a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability. For example, if someone is unaware of their duties, it's more accurate to say they "failed to fulfill their responsibility" than to say they "tried to escape responsibility".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "escape responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate of a sentence. It describes an action taken to avoid accountability for something. Ludwig's examples show the phrase used with individuals, organizations, and even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "escape responsibility" is a commonly used expression that describes the act of avoiding accountability for one's actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Analysis of its function, purpose, and register reveals that it is primarily used in neutral contexts, such as news and media, to critically describe attempts to evade blame or duty. Alternatives like "avoid responsibility" or "evade responsibility" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts, each with its own subtle connotation. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context accurately reflects a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability, rather than a simple lack of awareness. In summary, "escape responsibility" serves as a valuable tool for analyzing and critiquing situations where individuals or organizations seek to avoid the consequences of their actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

avoid responsibility

Focuses on actively steering clear of duties or blame.

evade responsibility

Implies skillful or cunning avoidance of accountability.

shirk responsibility

Suggests neglecting or failing to fulfill one's duties.

dodge responsibility

Emphasizes quick or evasive movements to avoid blame.

circumvent responsibility

Highlights finding a way around accountability through clever means.

decline responsibility

Formally refuse to accept the onus.

renounce responsibility

A more formal and emphatic way of rejecting duty.

sidestep responsibility

Suggests moving aside to let accountability pass.

wriggle out of responsibility

Highlights using devious means to get out of one's duties.

weasel out of responsibility

Conveys escaping responsibility through dishonesty or trickery.

FAQs

How can I use "escape responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "escape responsibility" to describe someone avoiding the consequences of their actions, such as: "The company tried to "escape responsibility" for the environmental damage caused by the oil spill."

What is a more formal alternative to "escape responsibility"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "evade accountability" or "shirk obligations" instead of "escape responsibility".

What's the difference between "avoid responsibility" and "escape responsibility"?

"Avoid responsibility" implies a proactive attempt to not be assigned blame or duty. "Escape responsibility" suggests someone is already in a position of accountability and is trying to get out of it.

Is it correct to use "escape responsibility" in academic writing?

Yes, "escape responsibility" is acceptable in academic writing, particularly when analyzing the behavior of individuals or organizations seeking to avoid the consequences of their actions. However, ensure that the tone remains objective and analytical.