had been responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a past state of being accountable for something, often in a context where the responsibility has changed or is no longer applicable. Example: "She had been responsible for the project until she left the company last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Had she had responses from actual mothers of teenagers who had been responsible for mass killings?

The Guardian - Books

Tino Martinez had been responsible for that Yankee run.

The New York Times - Sports

Ideological objections to armies and navies had been responsible for a minimal naval force.

Britannica

His father said he had been responsible for loading ordnance into aircraft in Kandahar Province.

The New York Times

The general said the cells had been responsible for much violence.

The New York Times

Over the year Dr. Dragstedt had been responsible for advances in medical techniques.

The New York Times

For decades, the immigration service had been responsible for unaccompanied immigrant children.

The New York Times

Cameron confirmed that the US had been responsible for a drone strike on Hussein.

The Guardian

Mr. Peckham had been responsible for the paper's circulation, he said.

The New York Times

But the TUC said government policy had been responsible for the weakness of the RHDI.

The Guardian

Andrea Whiting had been responsible, many years before, for the death by fire of Len's twin.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been responsible", ensure the context clearly indicates the period during which the responsibility was held. This helps avoid ambiguity about the time frame.

Common error

Avoid using "had been responsible" when describing a present or ongoing situation. Use "is responsible" or "has been responsible" instead to reflect the current state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been responsible" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of past responsibility or causality. It's commonly used to describe someone or something that was accountable for an action, event, or outcome in the past. This aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been responsible" is a common and grammatically sound way to express past responsibility, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile enough for use in news, academic writing, and professional settings. When writing with this phrase, ensure that you're referring to a past state and that the context clarifies the period during which the responsibility was in effect. The phrase primarily attributes accountability or causation to someone or something in the past. Remember to avoid using it for present or ongoing situations. While "was responsible" is a good alternative, "had been responsible" adds a nuance of past accountability that no longer applies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was responsible

Present tense form, indicating current responsibility rather than past.

was accountable for

Highlights the obligation to answer for the outcome.

was the cause of

Focuses on direct causation of an event.

was the reason for

Focuses on providing justification or explanation.

was to blame for

Implies fault or culpability for something negative.

was liable for

Indicates legal responsibility for damages or actions.

was in charge of

Indicates a leadership or management role regarding a task or project.

bore the responsibility for

A more formal and emphatic way of stating responsibility.

was the origin of

Emphasizes being the starting point or source.

was at the root of

Suggests a deeper, underlying cause.

FAQs

How to use "had been responsible" in a sentence?

Use "had been responsible" to indicate that someone or something was responsible for something in the past, but may no longer be. For example, "She "had been responsible" for the project until she left the company."

What can I say instead of "had been responsible"?

You can use alternatives like "was responsible", "was in charge of", or "was accountable for" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "had been responsible" and "is responsible"?

"Had been responsible" indicates a past state of responsibility, whereas "is responsible" indicates a current state of responsibility. Use ""had been responsible"" when the responsibility no longer applies.

When should I use "was responsible" instead of "had been responsible"?

Use "was responsible" when describing a past situation without emphasizing that the responsibility has ended. Use "had been responsible" to emphasize that the responsibility is no longer in place.