impose responsibility on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impose responsibility on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the concept of assigning a task or duty to someone with the expectation that it will be fulfilled. For example: "The company imposed a great responsibility on the new managers to increase profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Politicians don't seem to realise that the more you impose responsibility on schools the more they need that support.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I think this is clear from the attacks that are made not just on our court but even on national courts, where they take a decision which is unpopular: the problem is always seen in terms of the Human Rights Act which grants rights but doesn't actually impose responsibilities on the individual.

The Guardian

That imposes responsibility on you – we're conscious of our social power, what we represent – but joy too.

The Guardian - Sport

In due course it might well be argued that the act was right to make the relationship between auditors and their "clients" more distanced and adversarial but then went far beyond what was necessary in that respect by, among other things, imposing responsibilities on CEOs that they are not, in fact, in a position to discharge.

The Economist

But the SEC, with weak leadership, has done as little as possible to hold anyone accountable for the crash, while the Department of Justice has dodged one opportunity after another to impose meaningful responsibility on big corporations and their executives.

Huffington Post

It is, however, a troubling law since it tries to impose criminal responsibility on individual bankers for collective failures.

The Economist

Speaking at a press conference at the G7 summit in Germany after a day of confusing messages from the government, he said he had been referring only to the renegotiation phase, describing speculation over whether he would impose collective responsibility on the referendum campaign itself as "hypothetical".

Independent

The fact that the prime minister presented his ideas as an agenda for a wide discussion - and not as if it was an announcement in the Queen's speech to be imposed by a new constitutional tsar complete with league tables to chronicle his progress - came as a massive relief, and it imposes a responsibility on everyone to contribute their own opinions during this formative period.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, the principle of humanity imposes the responsibility on States to protect human beings in emergency situations resulting from natural or man-made disasters.

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

The risk inherent in clinical research imposes a responsibility on the investigator for the well being of human subjects.

Globalization and Health

The Dogs Act, 1871 [ 91] imposed civil responsibility on dog owners and stated that dogs must be "under proper control" and "stray dogs may be detained and sold or destroyed".

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impose responsibility on", ensure the context clearly defines the specific duty or obligation being assigned to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "impose responsibility on" without specifying what the responsibility entails. Vague assignments can lead to confusion and inaction. Always clarify the task or duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impose responsibility on" functions as a verb phrase that assigns a specific duty, obligation, or accountability to an individual or group. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is correct and effective for assigning duties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "impose responsibility on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression for assigning duties or obligations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s effective in both formal and informal settings. The phrase functions to clearly designate accountability and is suitable for neutral and professional registers. When using this phrase, ensure the context specifies the exact nature of the responsibility to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "assign responsibility to" or "delegate responsibility to" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance of authority and expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign responsibility to

Focuses on the act of delegation or task assignment.

place the onus on

Emphasizes the burden or obligation being transferred.

delegate responsibility to

Highlights the act of entrusting someone with a duty.

saddle with responsibility

Suggests a negative connotation, implying an unwanted burden.

charge with a duty

Implies a formal or official assignment of a task.

hold accountable for

Emphasizes the aspect of being answerable for outcomes.

make responsible for

A more direct and assertive way of assigning accountability.

task with a responsibility

Highlights the specific assignment of a task.

lay the responsibility on

Similar to 'place the onus', but slightly less formal.

entrust with responsibility

Focuses on the aspect of trust and confidence in the assignee.

FAQs

How can I use "impose responsibility on" in a sentence?

You can use "impose responsibility on" to show how someone is given a duty. For example, "The new regulations "impose responsibility on" companies to monitor their environmental impact."

What are some alternatives to "impose responsibility on"?

Alternatives include "assign responsibility to", "delegate responsibility to", or "place the onus on", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it better to "impose responsibilities on" or "assign responsibilities to"?

Both "impose responsibilities on" and "assign responsibilities to" are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different connotations. "Impose" suggests a more authoritative or potentially unwelcome assignment, while "assign" is more neutral.

What is the difference between "impose responsibility on" and "hold accountable for"?

"Impose responsibility on" refers to the act of assigning a duty, whereas "hold accountable for" refers to the act of ensuring someone answers for the outcomes of that duty.