main responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the primary duty or obligation someone has regarding a specific task or area. Example: "As the project manager, my main responsibility for the success of the project is to ensure effective communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That said, it is the Iraqis who should shoulder the main responsibility for their failures.

The Guardian - Opinion

The piping group has the main responsibility for the design and layout of the facility.

Pipe Drafting and Design

So my rough survey was to apportion the main responsibility for error.

The Guardian - Books

Porte will now take on the main responsibility for Team Sky.

The Guardian - Sport

The council bears the main responsibility for research through the department of scientific and industrial research.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And in so doing she carries the main responsibility for the success or failure of this operation".

The Guardian

In 1976, the main responsibility for handling adoptions was moved from voluntary organisations, which were mainly religious, to local authorities.

The Guardian

The central bank has so far insisted that the main responsibility for acting lies with national governments.

The Guardian - Business

■ SPL is for couples rather then single parents, and couples must share the main responsibility for caring for the child.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Already the Afghan army and police are taking on the main responsibility for keeping insurgents at bay.

The Economist

Mr. Maliki and Mr. Allawi have the main responsibility for bringing the bargaining to an expeditious and peaceful resolution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific language to detail the actions or outcomes expected from the responsible party.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly delineating the "main responsibility for" from secondary or shared responsibilities. Unclear assignments can lead to confusion and inefficiency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main responsibility for" functions as a noun phrase that identifies who is primarily in charge or accountable for a specific task, area, or outcome. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is used correctly and effectively in written English. It is widely employed across various contexts to assign duties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "main responsibility for" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that clearly indicates who is in charge of a task or area. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts including science, news, and formal communications. To enhance clarity, ensure that the context of the sentence specifies exactly what the assigned role entails. While alternatives like "primary responsibility for" exist, "main responsibility for" remains a reliable and effective choice for assigning accountability. Consider the best practices and avoid common errors to ensure your writing is clear and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary responsibility for

Emphasizes the priority of the responsibility.

chief responsibility for

Highlights the hierarchical importance of the responsibility.

principal responsibility for

Stresses the key or leading nature of the responsibility.

foremost responsibility for

Highlights the prominent or most important aspect of the responsibility.

core responsibility for

Highlights the fundamental nature of the responsibility.

leading responsibility for

Focuses on guiding or directing aspects of the responsibility.

primary duty for

Replaces "responsibility" with "duty", implying a moral or legal obligation.

central role in

Shifts the focus to the part someone plays, rather than a specific duty.

key role in

Like "central role", but perhaps implying less overall importance.

biggest part in

More informal way to express contribution or task.

FAQs

How can I use "main responsibility for" in a sentence?

You can use "main responsibility for" to indicate who is primarily accountable for a task or outcome. For example, "The project manager has the "main responsibility for" ensuring the project stays on schedule."

What are some alternatives to "main responsibility for"?

Alternatives include "primary responsibility for", "chief responsibility for", or "principal responsibility for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "main responsibility for" or "main responsibilities of"?

Use "main responsibility for" when referring to a single, overarching duty. Use "main responsibilities of" when describing a set of key duties. For instance, "His "main responsibility for" the event is logistics", versus "His "main responsibilities of" the job include planning, execution, and reporting."

What's the difference between "main responsibility for" and "accountable for"?

"Main responsibility for" indicates who is primarily in charge of something. "Accountable for" implies being answerable for the outcome, whether or not one directly performs the tasks. You can have the "main responsibility for" a task and still be accountable to someone else.