lacking responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lacking responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that does not take accountability or fails to fulfill obligations. Example: "His repeated mistakes at work show that he is lacking responsibility in his role."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

On the eve of the European Team Championships, which open in the 1912 Olympic Stadium here this afternoon, Charles van Commenee, head coach of the Great Britain squad for the two-day event, accused Idowu of lacking "responsibility and dignity" for announcing his withdrawal on Twitter.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Those between the ages of 7 and 14 were generally thought to lack responsibility for their actions.

The New York Times - Magazine

Twitter row: Van Commenee rebuke a 'blatant lie', says Idowu World triple jump champion Phillips Idowu yesterday hit back at Charles van Commenee's accusation that he lacked "responsibility and dignity" by announcing his withdrawal from the European Team Championships on Twitter.

Independent

#Ferguson officials think black residents lack responsibility, but get friends' tickets tossed http://t.co/Go4UZJlbab pic.twitter.com//t.co/Go4UZJlbab

Huffington Post

Seung-yoon Seung-yoon LeeAlsong the specific incident of Charegardingo, do you thenk the cartoonispecificed responsincident

Huffington Post

Parents who lack responsibility for their families, who will not work and will not discipline; people who sell and use dope and alcohol.

Huffington Post

' Some are mothers who lack responsibility and just want to enjoy their life.' There were mixed perceptions on exclusive breastfeeding.

BMC Health Services Research

His thesis was "Congressional Government". Impressed with the failure of congressional government because it lacked direction, responsibility and action, the remedy proposed was responsible cabinet government.

University of Chicago

One thing she never lacked was responsibility.

The New York Times

While Justice Department officials were investigating Ferguson, city officials repeatedly told them that the arrest statistics simply reflected the fact that black residents lacked "personal responsibility".

The New Yorker

He knew that the idea of scientists' lack of responsibility worked very nicely for governments that wanted them to carry on inventing weapons.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lacking responsibility", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific responsibilities are being neglected. This adds clarity and strengthens your critique.

Common error

Avoid using "lacking responsibility" as a blanket statement without providing specific examples or instances where the lack of responsibility is evident. Always support the claim with concrete evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lacking responsibility" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, describing someone or something that does not adequately fulfill their duties or take accountability for their actions. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is grammatically sound and readily understood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lacking responsibility" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a deficiency in accountability or conscientiousness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "irresponsible" and "negligent" exist, "lacking responsibility" offers a nuanced way to critique a failure to meet expected standards. When using the phrase, clarity is key; providing specific examples of the neglected responsibilities will strengthen your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

irresponsible

A single-word adjective directly describing someone who does not show responsibility.

negligent

Suggests a failure to take proper care in doing something.

remiss

Implies a carelessness or lack of attention to duty.

derelict in one's duty

Specifically refers to neglecting one's obligations or duties.

showing a lack of accountability

Highlights the absence of willingness to accept responsibility for one's actions.

failing to take ownership

Emphasizes the avoidance of responsibility for outcomes or tasks.

not accountable

A direct way of saying someone is not held or does not hold themselves responsible.

without a sense of duty

Focuses on the absence of an internalized obligation to act responsibly.

deficient in responsibility

A more formal and emphatic way of saying someone lacks responsibility.

unreliable

Describes someone who cannot be depended on to act responsibly.

FAQs

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

You can use "lacking responsibility" to describe a person, group, or system that fails to meet its obligations or account for its actions. For example, "The project failed due to the team "lacking responsibility" in meeting deadlines".

What are some alternatives to saying "lacking responsibility"?

Alternatives include "irresponsible", "negligent", or "remiss". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "lack of responsibility" or "lacking responsibility"?

"Lack of responsibility" is a noun phrase, while "lacking responsibility" is a participial phrase that functions as an adjective. Both are grammatically correct, but "lack of responsibility" might be preferred in more formal contexts.

How does "lacking responsibility" differ from "avoiding responsibility"?

"Lacking responsibility" implies a general deficiency in conscientiousness or accountability, while "avoiding responsibility" suggests a deliberate effort to evade blame or obligation. The former suggests a character trait, while the latter indicates a conscious action.