hold responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone having the responsibility or obligation to do something. For example, "The mayor must hold responsibility for maintaining the city's budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Kickstarter makes each project's creator responsible for delivery, and currently does not hold responsibility for late delivery or recipients who abscond.Matt Haughey, a founder of MetaFilter, posted an account of an iPhone-case project he backed in which the delivered product did not live up to expectations.

The Economist

"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

"The Russians have given the regime another gasp of life and that is bad news for everyone, and they will hold responsibility for prolonging this conflict," Philip Hammond said on Monday.

Independent

Although both hold responsibility for the scientific success of the project, Kasdin is an expert in the observation of exoplanets, and Spergel is a leader in the study of dark energy.

Princeton University

But one of his alleged victims said that Yaar was not a fit person to become ambassador to the UK, let alone hold responsibility in Kabul for big financial issues.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Mr. Reisser will continue to hold responsibilities for Russia and and the former Soviet republics, the bank said.

The New York Times

To make ends meet, teachers will hold responsibilities usually shouldered by other staff members, like assistant principals (there will be none).

The New York Times

We live in a society towards which we all hold responsibilities.

Huffington Post

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

The New York Times

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 "hold responsibility", clearly define the scope and nature of the responsibility being held to avoid ambiguity. Specify who is responsible for what and to whom they are accountable.

Common error

Avoid using "hold responsibility" without specifying the area or task for which someone is responsible. For example, instead of saying "The team holds responsibility", specify "The team holds responsibility for project delivery."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold responsibility" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of possessing or being assigned a duty or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. The examples show its usage in assigning accountability for various tasks and outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold responsibility" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for assigning accountability and duty. As Ludwig AI highlights, it effectively conveys the act of possessing a particular obligation. While it is appropriate for various contexts, it's most frequent in news, scientific, and formal business environments. To ensure clarity, remember to clearly define the scope of the responsibility being held. Semantically related alternatives include "bear responsibility", "assume responsibility", and "be responsible for". Although acceptable, vague assignment is one of the most common mistakes, so remember to be specific.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear responsibility

Replaces "hold" with "bear", emphasizing the burden or weight of the responsibility.

assume responsibility

Focuses on the act of taking on responsibility.

shoulder responsibility

Similar to "bear responsibility", highlighting the act of carrying the responsibility.

take responsibility

Emphasizes the acceptance and ownership of responsibility.

be accountable for

Shifts the focus to being answerable for specific actions or outcomes.

be in charge of

Indicates having control and responsibility over something.

be responsible for

A more direct and common way of expressing responsibility.

be liable for

Focuses on legal or financial responsibility.

own responsibility

Highlights personal ownership and acceptance of duty.

answer for

Implies being called upon to explain or justify actions.

FAQs

How can I use "hold responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "hold responsibility" to indicate that someone has a duty or obligation. For example, "The manager will "hold responsibility" for the team's performance".

What's a good alternative to "hold responsibility"?

Alternatives include "be responsible for", "assume responsibility", or "take responsibility" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "hold responsibility" or "be responsible"?

Both are correct, but "be responsible" is more common and direct. "Hold responsibility" can emphasize a formal or assigned duty. Consider the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "hold responsibility" in a project management context?

In project management, to ""hold responsibility"" means that a person or team is accountable for the successful completion of a specific task or deliverable. They are expected to ensure it's done correctly and on time.