mainly responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mainly responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone or something is primarily or chiefly to blame or accountable for something. For example: The CEO of the company was mainly responsible for its success in the stock market last year.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who's mainly responsible for that?

The Washington Post

Local farmers were mainly responsible for SWC.

Science of The Total Environment

Polytechnics and universities were mainly responsible for degrees and research.

Britannica

(6) Tensile fractures are mainly responsible for roof failures.

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

Regulation, incidentally, has been mainly responsible for the only improvements that have occurred within the sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is an unacceptable result and I'm mainly responsible for it".

The Guardian - Sport

It's co-written by David Crane, the clever writer mainly responsible for Friends!

The Guardian - TV & Radio

While terrorism is mainly responsible for the Caribbean's woes, local crime is also a factor.

The New York Times - Travel

They were the ones mainly responsible for the decimation of North Luangwa's elephant population.

The New Yorker

Diffusion anisotropy is hindered perpendicularly to the bundles; cell membranes are mainly responsible for anisotropy.

Nature

They propose also that plastic flow is mainly responsible for the final swelling effect.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that something or someone had a primary role but other factors or people may have also contributed.

Common error

Avoid using "mainly responsible for" when the entity in question bears sole responsibility. Opt for stronger terms like "solely responsible" or "completely accountable" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mainly responsible for" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the degree of responsibility or causation an entity has in relation to a particular outcome or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

26%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mainly responsible for" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express primary accountability or causation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and widely used in English. Its prevalence in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources demonstrates its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context clearly defines the area of responsibility and to avoid overstating sole responsibility when other factors are involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily accountable for

Emphasizes accountability as the chief reason.

chiefly liable for

Focuses on legal or obligatory accountability.

largely to blame for

Directly attributes fault or culpability to someone or something.

mostly in charge of

Highlights the aspect of control and management of a specific task or duty.

predominantly concerned with

Focuses on a dominant area of focus or attention.

essentially the cause of

Identifies the fundamental source or origin of something.

instrumental in

Highlights the indispensable role in achieving a specific outcome.

played a key role in

Indicates the important impact to something

at the root of

Places emphasis on the origin or the underlying cause of the situation.

significant factor in

Highlights the significance of an item or aspect in the situation

FAQs

How can I use "mainly responsible for" in a sentence?

Use "mainly responsible for" to indicate that someone or something had the largest impact or accountability for a particular outcome. For instance, "The new marketing strategy was "mainly responsible for" the increase in sales."

What are some alternatives to "mainly responsible for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "primarily accountable for", "chiefly liable for", or "largely to blame for".

What is the difference between "mainly responsible for" and "solely responsible for"?

"Mainly responsible for" suggests that the entity had the greatest impact, while "solely responsible for" indicates that the entity was the only factor involved.

Is "mainly responsible for" formal or informal?

"Mainly responsible for" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider alternatives like "primarily accountable for" for added emphasis.