feel responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

"feel responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's attitude or behavior in a particular situation, such as when they are being held accountable for something. For example, "John felt responsible for the accident and wanted to do whatever he could to make things right."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I feel responsible".

The New York Times

You feel responsible.

The New York Times

I feel responsible.

The New Yorker

"I do feel responsible.

The Guardian

We all feel responsible".

The New York Times

Would you feel responsible?

The New York Times

"I'd feel responsible.

The New York Times

"I feel responsible to the IFS.

The Guardian

"She cannot feel responsible for that.

The New York Times - Arts

I feel responsible for my sister.

Independent

"I feel responsible," Fedorov said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel responsible" when describing a personal sense of accountability, whether or not that accountability is formally assigned. It conveys a subjective emotional state.

Common error

Avoid using "feel responsible" when you mean to convey that someone is responsible in a formal sense. "Feeling responsible" is a subjective emotion; "being responsible" indicates an objective state of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel responsible" functions as a verb phrase, where "feel" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the adjective "responsible". Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel responsible" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a personal sense of accountability or obligation. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and general writing. While the phrase is often used correctly, it's important to differentiate "feeling responsible" from "being responsible", as the former denotes a subjective emotion while the latter indicates an objective state. Consider alternatives such as "sense accountability" or "take ownership of" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sense accountability

This alternative implies a more formal or structured feeling of responsibility.

be answerable for

Indicates being accountable and required to give an explanation.

feel a sense of duty

This suggests responsibility arising from a moral or ethical obligation.

take ownership of

Implies a proactive acceptance of responsibility and its consequences.

bear the onus

This phrase suggests a heavier burden of responsibility.

shoulder the blame

This alternative focuses specifically on accepting blame.

have a moral obligation

Emphasizes the ethical aspect of responsibility.

carry the can

This idiom implies taking responsibility, often unfairly, for something.

be burdened with

Highlights the feeling of being weighed down by responsibility.

be held liable

This phrase denotes a legal or formal responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "feel responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "feel responsible" to express a sense of accountability or obligation. For example, "I "feel responsible" for the project's success" or "She "felt responsible" for the error".

What's the difference between "feel responsible" and "be responsible"?

"Feel responsible" indicates a subjective emotional state of accountability, while "be responsible" implies an objective state of accountability or duty.

What can I say instead of "feel responsible"?

You can use alternatives like "sense accountability", "take ownership of", or "bear the onus" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "feel responsible"?

Yes, "feel responsible" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express a sense of accountability or obligation.