have primary responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have primary responsibility" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "The managers in this department have primary responsibility for ensuring safety protocols are followed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This approach was adopted to support the current decentralised model in which Country Offices, especially Country Management Teams, have primary responsibility for humanitarian response, with support and oversight from Regional Offices.

Unicef

A spokesman for Pricewaterhouse, Steven Silber, said in response, "Companies have primary responsibility for the accuracy of their financial statements".

The New York Times

That means Middleton will have primary responsibility for containing Sapp.

The New York Times - Sports

Who will have primary responsibility for this child's life?

The New York Times

States will have primary responsibility for enforcing the standards.

The New York Times - Health

The agency will also have primary responsibility for cleaning up nuclear weapons construction sites.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. will still have primary responsibility for regulating securities brokers and dealers.

The New York Times

The regional authorities have primary responsibility for the environment, energy, agriculture, transportation, and public works.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are 32 elected school boards, which have primary responsibility for elementary and middle schools.

The Economist

It does not have primary responsibility for developing protective gear worn by troops or sensors designed to detect agents.

The New York Times

Officials at the Energy Department said Brookhaven Science Associates would have primary responsibility for monitoring the cleanup.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning tasks, clearly define who will "have primary responsibility" to avoid confusion and ensure accountability.

Common error

Avoid assigning "primary responsibility" to multiple individuals for the same task; this can lead to diffusion of responsibility and hinder effective execution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have primary responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of possessing the primary duty or obligation for something. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in assigning roles, defining accountability, and specifying areas of control.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have primary responsibility" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone is the main person in charge of a task or duty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in diverse contexts like news, business, and science. When using this phrase, be clear about the specific task and avoid assigning primary responsibility to multiple individuals to ensure accountability. Consider alternatives like "be chiefly accountable" or "bear the main burden" for stylistic variation. By following these guidelines, you can effectively communicate who holds the main responsibility and avoid potential confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have principal accountability

Uses a more formal term for responsibility.

be chiefly accountable

Focuses on the aspect of being held responsible.

bear the main burden

Shifts the emphasis to the weight of the responsibility.

be tasked with oversight

Highlights the duty of overseeing.

shoulder the greatest load

Emphasizes the heaviness and impact of the responsibility.

preside over affairs

Implies a formal and authoritative role.

oversee operations

Emphasizes the supervisory aspect of the role.

be the point person

Highlights the role as the main contact.

be in the driver's seat

Uses an idiomatic expression for being in control.

hold the reins

Emphasizes the act of controlling or guiding.

FAQs

How can I use "have primary responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "have primary responsibility" to indicate who is mainly in charge of a task, for example: "The project manager will "have primary responsibility" for meeting deadlines".

What's the difference between "have primary responsibility" and "have secondary responsibility"?

"Have primary responsibility" indicates the main person in charge, while "have secondary responsibility" means someone assists or supports the primary person.

What can I say instead of "have primary responsibility"?

Alternatives include "be chiefly accountable", "have principal accountability", or "bear the main burden" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone "has primary responsibility"?

Yes, it is correct. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase "have primary responsibility" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.