exactly responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying the precise cause or accountability for a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The manager is exactly responsible for the project's success, as she oversaw every aspect of its development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There is no strict evidence which substances are exactly responsible for the CNS depressant effects.

Clinical Phytoscience

Our study design did not allow us to point out which mechanisms were exactly responsible for the differences observed.

BMC Infectious Diseases

To what extent both processes are exactly responsible for the change in MNV is hard to determine since they are very dynamic and time-dependent [ 52].

Basic Research in Cardiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The main activity is the scapegoating and finger-pointing over who exactly is responsible for this latest legislative malfunctioning.

The New York Times

According to UCPD Captain Margo Bennett, the inquiry remains a "high priority" as officers work to develop additional information regarding who, exactly, was responsible for the various criminal actions.

University of California, Berkeley

It was not clear on Friday who exactly was responsible for the interruption of flights, or the chain of events that led to the decision.

The New York Times

He continued: "Who exactly is responsible for the delay [in the Chilcot report] is unclear, but it is hard to avoid the suspicion that political considerations might have come into play".

The Guardian

Admirable though such organisations may be, I can't help but wonder what experience they have in promoting British produce overseas, let alone who, exactly, is responsible for a coordinated policy (assuming there is going to be one at all).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both the funeral for Margaret Thatcher and Sunday's marathon are considered potential targets for terrorists, but intelligence officials have urged caution about reaching conclusions over whom exactly was responsible for the attacks in America killing two people and injuring 176 others with far-right groups as well as Islamists among the suspects.

Independent

In the Balkans, where the conflict is more recent and the death toll far higher, there's little hope of moving forward until there is accountability for all involved – including the UN, and through both the ICTY and regional truth commissions – and a clear acknowledgement of who, exactly, is responsible for what.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another was more direct: "Bashar al-Assad, how do you feel today?" No videos or photos appeared to show Colonel Qaddafi alive after the ambulance spirited him away from Surt, though there was a debate over who exactly was responsible for his death.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exactly responsible for", ensure that the context clearly defines the scope of responsibility. Be specific about what someone is accountable for to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly responsible for" when the accountability is shared or influenced by external factors. Instead, opt for phrases that acknowledge shared responsibility or contributing factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly responsible for" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun to specify a direct and precise level of accountability. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is used to pinpoint specific causes, mechanisms, or individuals bearing the ultimate responsibility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly responsible for" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, expression used to assign direct and precise accountability. As confirmed by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news and scientific contexts where clear attribution is essential. While versatile, this phrase benefits from careful application to ensure that the context unambiguously defines the scope of responsibility. When precision matters in assigning cause or accountability, "exactly responsible for" serves as a potent tool in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held fully responsible

Indicates a complete assumption of blame or obligation.

directly accountable for

Focuses on accountability with an emphasis on a direct connection.

attributable directly to

Attributes an effect or result specifically and undeniably to a cause.

solely liable for

Emphasizes exclusive legal or financial responsibility.

primarily in charge of

Highlights the main person or entity with control or management.

instrumental in causing

Highlights the role of being crucial or significant in bringing about a result.

the definitive cause of

Points to the ultimate or deciding reason behind something.

the main driver behind

Suggests a leading force or influence that propels an outcome.

the precise origin of

Focuses on the exact source or beginning of something.

the root of the issue

Identifies the fundamental or underlying reason for a problem.

FAQs

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

Use "exactly responsible for" to clearly specify who or what bears the precise accountability for an action or outcome. For example: "The project manager is "exactly responsible for" the project's timely completion".

What are some alternatives to "exactly responsible for"?

You can use alternatives such as "directly accountable for", "solely liable for", or "primarily in charge of" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "exactly responsible for" or "responsible for"?

"Exactly responsible for" emphasizes precision and direct accountability, while "responsible for" is a more general term. Use "exactly responsible for" when you want to remove any ambiguity about who or what is accountable.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "exactly responsible for"?

Avoid using "exactly responsible for" if the responsibility is shared, unclear, or influenced by other factors. In such cases, phrases like "contributed to" or "played a role in" might be more appropriate.