hold responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold responsible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone is held accountable for an action, mistake, or decision. For example, "The teacher was held responsible for the cheating scandal in her class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For that, the companies can hold responsible -- who else? -- parents and teachers.

The New York Times

But they remain angry at the regulators, whom they hold responsible for the outcome.

The New York Times

Opponents of abortion are not timid about whom to hold responsible.

The New York Times

He had said that the US would hold responsible those who had committed this heinous act.

The Guardian - Books

For many, there is one man they hold responsible – Charles Taylor, former president of neighbouring Liberia.

The Guardian

"Who do you hold responsible for the attack on you?" I asked.

The New Yorker

And there's no way to even identify and hold responsible the fast-moving culprit.

The New York Times

The first group may hold responsible jobs and live in Pyongyang.

The Economist

Picking somebody to hold responsible gives a little more sense of order to the universe.

The New York Times

We will hold responsible any perpetrator involved in the tragic incident over the weekend".

The New York Times

Looking for someone specific to hold responsible for the improbable rise of Donald Trump?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold responsible" when you want to emphasize the act of making someone answer for their actions or failures. Ensure the context clearly defines what the person is being held responsible for.

Common error

Avoid using "hold responsibly" when you mean "hold responsible". "Responsibly" is an adverb describing how an action is performed, while "responsible" is an adjective describing the state of being accountable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold responsible" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to express the act of assigning accountability or blame to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. This function is evident in examples such as "We will hold responsible any perpetrator involved..." and "Who do you hold responsible for the attack on you?".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold responsible" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase used to assign blame or accountability. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and suitability across a range of contexts. With 60 examples available, its frequent use in news and media demonstrates its relevance in public discourse concerning accountability. While related to phrases like "hold accountable", it specifically implies assigning blame for something. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines what the subject is being held responsible for to prevent ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hold accountable

Focuses more on the act of making someone answerable for their actions.

Assign blame

Directly implies attributing fault to someone.

Impose liability

Refers to the legal responsibility one bears for damages or losses.

Pin the blame

Suggests a specific and often forceful assignment of fault.

Render liable

Similar to impose liability, but with a focus on the process.

Cast responsibility

Highlights the act of placing responsibility onto someone.

Attribute culpability

Formal way of assigning blame, often used in legal contexts.

Fix responsibility

Emphasizes the definitive assignment of responsibility.

Consider culpable

To think of someone as deserving blame.

Point the finger at

Idiomatic expression for accusing someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "hold responsible" to indicate that someone is being made accountable for their actions. For example, "The company will "hold responsible" the employee who leaked confidential information".

What are some alternatives to "hold responsible"?

Alternatives include "hold accountable", "assign blame", or "impose liability" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "hold responsible" and "hold accountable"?

While similar, "hold responsible" often implies assigning blame or fault, whereas "hold accountable" focuses on the process of making someone answer for their actions, regardless of blame.

Is it correct to say "hold someone responsibly" instead of "hold someone responsible"?

No, "hold someone responsibly" is grammatically incorrect. You should use "hold someone responsible". "Responsible" is an adjective describing the person's state, not an adverb describing the act of holding.