lies with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lies with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is mainly used when talking about who is responsible for a certain action or decision. For example: "The decision to go ahead with the project lies with the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It lies with Congress.

The New Yorker

The explanation lies with costs.

The Economist

The fault lies with us.

The New York Times

Power lies with the media".

The New York Times

The responsibility lies with him.

The New Yorker

Turing lies with men.

The Guardian

Judgment lies with God.

The Guardian

A second factor lies with central banks.

The Economist

The fault lies with its predecessors.

The New York Times

Ultimately, though, the responsibility lies with Macbeth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The problem lies with the author.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lies with", ensure the subject clearly identifies who or what holds the responsibility, power, or solution being discussed. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "lies with" when the responsibility is shared or unclear. Instead, opt for phrases that reflect shared accountability or indicate uncertainty about who is responsible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lies with" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating where responsibility, authority, or the source of something resides. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lies with" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate responsibility, authority, or the source of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias and science. While generally neutral in register, ensure clarity by directly identifying the subject holding responsibility. Alternatives like "is the responsibility of" or "rests on" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential errors, you can effectively incorporate "lies with" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is the responsibility of

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more formal and direct statement of responsibility.

is attributed to

Shifts the focus to the cause or origin of something rather than direct responsibility.

is down to

Offers a more informal and conversational way to indicate responsibility or causation.

rests on

Implies that something depends on a particular person or thing, indicating reliance.

is the concern of

Changes the focus to who should be concerned with something instead of who's responsible.

is incumbent upon

Presents a more formal and obligatory tone, emphasizing duty or requirement.

is located in

Shifts the meaning from responsibility to physical placement or existence.

is found in

Suggests that the answer or solution can be discovered within something.

is the domain of

Emphasizes that something falls under the authority or control of a particular entity.

is the provenance of

Highlights the origin or source of something, often used in a more academic or formal context.

FAQs

How can I use "lies with" in a sentence?

You can use "lies with" to indicate where responsibility, power, or the source of something is located. For example, "The final decision "lies with" the CEO."

What's a more formal alternative to "lies with"?

A more formal alternative to ""lies with"" could be "is the responsibility of" or "rests with", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the problem lies in" instead of "the problem lies with"?

While both are grammatically correct, "the problem "lies in"" typically refers to the location of the issue, whereas "the problem "lies with"" usually indicates who or what is responsible.

What's the difference between ""lies with"" and "is up to"?

"Lies with" indicates responsibility or authority, while "is up to" suggests a decision or action that someone needs to take. They both relate to agency but emphasize different aspects.