it was responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something or someone caused or contributed to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The research team concluded that it was responsible for the significant increase in productivity observed in the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Romania has rejected claims that it was responsible for wrongly describing horsemeat from its abattoirs as beef.

BBC

However, Romania rejects claims that it was responsible for wrongly describing the horsemeat from its abattoirs as beef.

BBC

IT was responsible for the realisation of the project and its data management.

BMC Family Practice

It was responsible for over 98percentt of Ventas's revenue.

The New York Times

It was responsible for 2,206 deaths in 308 incidents.

The Guardian

It was responsible for a significant increase in GCSE results.

The Guardian

No group immediately said it was responsible for the attack.

Independent

It was responsible for 17.5m deaths worldwide in 2005.

The Economist

In 2008, it was responsible for about 5.3 million out of the 57 million deaths worldwide.

The Guardian

It was responsible for civilian casualties because it was using people as "human shields".

The Guardian

"It was responsible for about half a dozen other deaths in recent months.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was responsible for", ensure that the subject 'it' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "it was responsible for" when the subject 'it' is unclear or ambiguous. Always ensure the subject is explicitly stated for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was responsible for" serves as a causative expression, indicating that a particular entity or event caused or contributed to a specific outcome. Ludwig's examples highlight its use across various contexts to assign responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was responsible for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate causation or accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. While versatile, clarity is crucial; ensure the subject 'it' is well-defined. Consider alternatives like "it led to" or "it contributed to" for nuanced expression. Using "it was responsible for" correctly will enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was accountable for

Indicates a formal assignment of responsibility or blame.

it bore the responsibility for

Emphasizes the burden or duty of being responsible.

it was liable for

Implies legal or financial responsibility.

it was the cause of

Directly indicates causation, often for negative outcomes.

it led to

Suggests a causal relationship, often with a chain of events.

it brought about

Emphasizes the act of causing something to happen or exist.

it was instrumental in

Highlights the importance of something in achieving a result.

it contributed to

Suggests a partial contribution to an outcome.

it played a part in

Indicates involvement or influence in an event or situation.

it had a hand in

Suggests involvement, often secretly or indirectly.

FAQs

How to use "it was responsible for" in a sentence?

Use "it was responsible for" to show causation or accountability. For example, "The storm was responsible for the flooding" indicates the storm caused the flooding.

What can I say instead of "it was responsible for"?

You can use alternatives like "it was accountable for", "it led to", or "it contributed to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it is responsible for" instead of "it was responsible for"?

Yes, "it is responsible for" is correct, but it indicates present responsibility. "It was responsible for" refers to past responsibility. Choose the tense that fits the context.

What's the difference between "it was responsible for" and "it was in charge of"?

"It was responsible for" implies causation or accountability for an outcome, while "it was in charge of" suggests having control or management over something. One implies results, the other implies duties.