immediate responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immediate responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a duty or obligation that requires prompt attention or action. Example: "As the project manager, I have immediate responsibility for ensuring that all deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

No group claimed immediate responsibility.

The New York Times

Nobody claimed immediate responsibility for the attacks.

The New York Times

But she bore immediate responsibility for the policy.

Independent

Immediate responsibility for this mayhem lies with Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine's thuggish president.

The Economist

"What I wanted is interaction between the experts and the people who had immediate responsibility for the collection.

The New York Times - Arts

He artfully kept himself remote from the chain of command - free from immediate responsibility and any subsequent blame.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

I had immediate responsibilities, ADRA was part of the national disaster management office's (NDMO) pre-disaster preparation plans.

The Guardian

Figures who had crawled into their shells as Mourinho's tenure unravelled have been galvanised, reminded both of their underlying qualities as well as immediate responsibilities.

The Guardian - Sport

Starting such change is, of course, important but doesn't free the professional network (health, schools, social services, the police) from their immediate responsibilities to protect young people suffering peer-to-peer violence right now.

The Guardian - Opinion

Of those support staff I managed to speak to, time to think about anything more than immediate responsibilities seemed a luxury many couldn't afford, due to a combination of hugely demanding remits and budget cut squeezes.

The Guardian

With the help of a new system, we are taking a more strategic approach to procurement, looking beyond our immediate responsibilities, tracking back down the supply chain to check the provenance of what we are buying.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "immediate responsibility", ensure the context clearly defines who holds the responsibility and what specific tasks or outcomes they are accountable for.

Common error

Avoid using "immediate responsibility" without clearly specifying the scope and limitations of the responsibility. Be specific to prevent confusion and ensure accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immediate responsibility" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It signifies a direct and pressing duty or obligation. As Ludwig AI shows, it denotes the accountability one has for actions or outcomes, demanding prompt attention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immediate responsibility" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote direct and pressing duties or obligations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal and business contexts, highlighting its importance in clearly assigning accountability. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify who holds the responsibility and the scope of their duties to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases like "direct accountability" or "primary duty" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Always provide enough detail to ensure clarity and prevent confusion regarding the responsibilities at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct accountability

Focuses on the direct nature of being accountable, emphasizing answerability for actions or outcomes.

primary duty

Highlights the main task or obligation, indicating the most important responsibility.

chief obligation

Emphasizes the foremost requirement or commitment, similar to a leading responsibility.

first line of responsibility

Indicates the initial level at which responsibility is held, stressing the first point of contact for duties.

main area of responsibility

Specifies the primary domain where duties are performed, narrowing down the scope of accountability.

immediate charge

Refers to the direct control or care given to someone or something, suggesting a duty of supervision.

urgent accountability

Highlights the pressing need to be accountable, stressing the time-sensitive nature of the responsibility.

frontline responsibility

Similar to first line, indicates direct, hands-on duties at the forefront of operations.

initial obligation

Focuses on the obligation at the start of a process or task, pointing to the duty that must be fulfilled first.

pressing duty

Indicates a duty that requires immediate attention and cannot be delayed.

FAQs

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

You can use "immediate responsibility" to describe a task or duty that someone is directly and promptly accountable for. For example: "The manager has "immediate responsibility" for ensuring the project stays on schedule."

What are some alternatives to "immediate responsibility"?

Some alternatives include "direct accountability", "primary duty", or "chief obligation". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "take immediate responsibility"?

Yes, it is correct. "Take "immediate responsibility"" implies acknowledging and accepting the duties and consequences related to a situation right away. For instance, "Boards of trustees and alumni need to take "immediate responsibility", pressing their schools to comply, not just with the letter of the law, but with the spirit."

What's the difference between "immediate responsibility" and "ultimate responsibility"?

"Immediate responsibility" refers to the tasks and duties one is directly and promptly accountable for, while "ultimate responsibility" refers to the final accountability for the overall outcome, even if the tasks are delegated. For example, a project manager may have "immediate responsibility" for the daily operations, but the CEO has ultimate responsibility for the project's success.