incapable of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incapable of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that cannot be held accountable for their actions or decisions. Example: "Due to his mental state, he was deemed incapable of responsibility for the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The quote comes from an address he gave in Rio de Janeiro calling on young people to "swim against the tide" and "rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Meyer has surrounded herself with aides who are even more invertebrate, unprincipled and incapable of collective responsibility than her.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And the narrator seems incapable of taking responsibility for his life and actions, until it is too late.

The New Yorker

Opposition parties seized on Mr Brown's performance as further evidence that he was incapable of taking responsibility for the failings over Iraq.

Independent

The generals regard the population as unruly children incapable of taking responsibility for themselves; they believe that they alone can prevent Burma from dissolving.

The New Yorker

"The idea that men's sexual desires render them incapable of taking responsibility for their actions, or of respecting another person's right to choose what happens to their body, is unfounded, outdated and offensive to men," she said.

BBC

He described the mismatch as a problem of "constitutional magnitude," essentially rendering the city incapable of meeting its responsibility to all students, but especially to those who are struggling.

The New York Times

Under WA law, authorities can indefinitely detain people who have been ruled incapable of taking criminal responsibility and, because of a shortage of places in secure mental health facilities, they are often detained in jail.

The Guardian

Clearly people are incapable of handling the responsibility of moving about a couple of tons of metal at 50 miles per hour.

TechCrunch

For example, a person may turn down a promotion due to an overriding concern that one is incapable of handling the responsibility, the expectation of disappointment at the possible subsequent demotion, or simply a "bad feeling" about the situation.

Cognitive Therapy and Research

The cross-cutting issue was however that the government as employer was experienced as being incapable of fulfilling its responsibilities in caring for the employees.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incapable of responsibility", ensure the context clearly defines what specific responsibility is being referred to. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "incapable of responsibility" without specifying the area of responsibility. Saying someone is "incapable of responsibility" without context can be vague and unfair. Instead, specify the domain, such as "incapable of financial responsibility."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incapable of responsibility" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a state of being unable to be held accountable or to act responsibly. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "incapable of responsibility" is used to describe a person or entity that lacks the ability to be held accountable. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, including news, media, and scientific writing. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "unable to take responsibility" or "not accountable", each carries nuanced differences. It's important to ensure the context clearly defines what specific responsibility is being referred to, avoiding overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to take responsibility

Direct substitution with a slightly simpler wording.

not accountable

Focuses on the lack of accountability.

lacking responsibility

Emphasizes the absence of responsibility.

irresponsible

A single-word adjective conveying a similar meaning.

exempt from accountability

Highlights the freedom from being held accountable.

absolved of responsibility

Suggests a formal release from responsibility.

not liable

Focuses on the legal aspect of not being responsible.

unfit for responsibility

Suggests a lack of suitability for handling responsibility.

deficient in responsibility

Highlights a specific deficiency in responsible behavior.

excused from responsibility

Implies a granted release or exemption from needing to be responsible.

FAQs

How to use "incapable of responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "incapable of responsibility" to describe someone who lacks the ability or capacity to be held accountable for something. For example, "Due to his young age, he was deemed "incapable of responsibility" for the damage."

What are some alternatives to "incapable of responsibility"?

Alternatives include "unable to take responsibility", "not accountable", or "irresponsible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "unable to take responsibility" or "incapable of responsibility"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "incapable of responsibility" suggests a more inherent or fundamental lack of ability, while "unable to take responsibility" may imply a situational constraint.

What does it mean when someone is described as "lacking responsibility"?

Describing someone as "lacking responsibility" means they do not demonstrate responsible behavior or are "incapable of responsibility" when expected or required.