grave responsibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

"grave responsibilities" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to very serious duties or obligations that must be taken seriously. For example: "The president has many grave responsibilities, such as the protection of national interests and the well-being of the people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The company's behavior "carries grave responsibilities," the judge said.

The New York Times

We recognize that as an industry leader we have grave responsibilities in working inside our business.

The New York Times

To pull on a Sydney jumper carried grave responsibilities and they've often played their football accordingly.

The Guardian - Sport

He seems incapable of grasping that amid such crises, his office carries with it certain very grave responsibilities to the American people.

The Washington Post

But, from a religious perspective, authentic freedom comes with grave responsibilities: How much coverage do the voices of the global South get in the London press?

The Guardian - Opinion

It's the story of nothing less than the awakening of a soul, the rise of an artistic vocation, and a young man's confrontation with the grave responsibilities of life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Re "No More Silent Summers," by Anthony Tommasini (Critic's Notebook, June 29): The New York Philharmonic is a great public trust — sometimes even a grave responsibility, as in the orchestra's response to Sept. 11 a decade ago — one I take seriously, and one of the biggest joys of my life.

The New York Times

Instead, he stressed that the Lehman board had a "grave responsibility," a fiduciary duty to shareholders.

The New Yorker

The UK bears grave responsibility for what is happening in Northern Ireland.

The Guardian - Opinion

What grave responsibility, what terrible guilt do they carry around which explains the reprisals against them?

The Guardian - Opinion

The Iranian revolution was a consequence of neocolonialist machinations in the country, for which Britain bore grave responsibility.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "serious obligations" or "critical obligations" if the situation is important but doesn't necessarily carry life-altering consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "grave responsibilities" in contexts where the responsibilities are merely routine or moderately important. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact and can make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave responsibilities" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "grave" modifies the noun "responsibilities". It highlights the significance and seriousness of the duties being referred to, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave responsibilities" effectively communicates the serious and significant nature of specific duties or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, and is often associated with contexts demanding careful consideration and accountability. The phrase sees frequent use in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Formal & Business" settings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context warrants its weighty connotation, avoiding overuse in situations that lack true gravity. Alternatives such as "serious obligations" or "critical duties" may be more appropriate in less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious obligations

Replaces "responsibilities" with a synonym, emphasizing the binding nature of the duties.

critical obligations

Emphasizes the crucial nature of the obligations.

solemn obligations

Suggests a formal and serious commitment to the duties.

onerous duties

Highlights the burdensome aspect of the responsibilities.

significant duties

Focuses on the importance and impact of the duties.

demanding responsibilities

Highlights the challenging nature of the obligations.

weighty burdens

Metaphorically describes the responsibilities as heavy burdens.

heavy accountabilities

Focuses on the serious consequences of failures in duties.

paramount duties

Highlights the superiority and priority of the duties.

momentous accountabilities

Uses more formal synonyms to underscore the seriousness.

FAQs

What does "grave responsibilities" mean?

"Grave responsibilities" refers to very serious and important duties or obligations that carry significant consequences if not fulfilled properly.

How can I use "grave responsibilities" in a sentence?

You might say, "The president's office carries "grave responsibilities" for national security and economic stability."

What are some synonyms for "grave responsibilities"?

Synonyms include "serious obligations", "critical duties", and "weighty burdens".

Is it appropriate to use "grave responsibilities" in a casual context?

No, "grave responsibilities" is best suited for formal or serious contexts due to its strong and weighty connotation. For less formal situations, consider using terms like "important tasks" or "key duties".