held responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's role or duties in a particular context, often in professional or formal settings. Example: "In her previous job, she held responsibility for managing the marketing team and overseeing all campaigns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The inquiry heard children's services at Brent council had deteriorated since it held responsibility for Victoria's welfare.

The Guardian

A spokeswoman for the Louvre said that, under the terms of the deal between the French and UAE governments, the TDIC held responsibility for construction and working conditions.

The Guardian

After the 1-9 Hernandez, Hernacknowledgedledged that the players held responsibility for their own failure, saying of Bowa, "We've let him down".

The New York Times - Sports

Steve McLaughlin, Telegraph Media Group's chief commercial officer, held responsibility for digital strategy and revenues, digital and print subscriptions, commerce and e-commerce strategy.

The Guardian

The Coleman family's lawsuit named Ripley Entertainment, Ride the Ducks and other companies that the plaintiffs said held responsibility for the accident.

The New York Times

He was appointed the first NASA Chief Knowledge Officer in 2011 and held responsibility for system-wide strategy, integration and deployment of knowledge services.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

With the end of 2011, the United States no longer holds responsibility for policing Iraqi airspace.

The New York Times

"I hold responsibility for everything on this land," Ms. Smith said.

The New York Times

Mordaunt will be a junior minister for planning under Lewis, and will also hold responsibility for coastal communities.

The Guardian

He also holds responsibility for non-devolved matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including criminal justice and asylum issues.

The Guardian

The osteocyte cell network in bone tissue is thought to orchestrate tissue adaptation and remodeling, thus holding responsibility for tissue quality.

IRBM

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held responsibility for", ensure the context clearly defines the period during which the responsibility was active. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid shifting from past tense ("held responsibility for") to present tense without a clear reason. Maintain consistent tense throughout the sentence to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past state of being accountable or in charge of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held responsibility for" is a verb phrase used to describe a past duty, obligation, or area of control. As Ludwig AI validates, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing. While the phrase is generally neutral, it often appears in professional settings. Consider using synonyms like "was responsible for" or "was in charge of" depending on the specific context. Ensure the tense is consistent and clearly defines the timeframe of the responsibility. As shown in the examples, this phrase appears in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was responsible for

Replaces "held" with "was", indicating a state of responsibility rather than a past action of holding it.

was accountable for

Focuses on the obligation to answer for outcomes and actions.

was in charge of

Emphasizes a position of leadership and control over something.

oversaw

Highlights the act of supervising and directing something.

managed

Focuses on the act of controlling and organizing resources or activities.

had control over

Stresses the power and authority to direct something.

carried the responsibility for

Implies a continuous and ongoing obligation.

bore the responsibility for

Suggests a heavier burden or obligation.

assumed responsibility for

Indicates a deliberate acceptance of duty.

was liable for

Highlights the legal or financial obligations associated with something.

FAQs

How can I use "held responsibility for" in a sentence?

You can use "held responsibility for" to describe a past duty or obligation. For example: "The council "held responsibility for" the welfare of the children."

What can I say instead of "held responsibility for"?

Alternatives include "was responsible for", "was in charge of", or "oversaw" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "hold responsibility for" instead of "held responsibility for"?

While "held responsibility for" refers to a past duty, "hold responsibility for" describes a current duty. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeframe.

What's the difference between "held responsible for" and "held responsibility for"?

"Held responsible for" means someone was blamed or accountable for something, while ""held responsibility for"" indicates that someone had specific duties or obligations.