mostly responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something has a significant but not exclusive role in causing or contributing to a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The recent decline in sales is mostly responsible for the company's decision to restructure its marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We are mostly responsible for what is happening here.

The Guardian

About 70% of women say they are mostly responsible for cooking, food shopping and household cleaning.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mobile phones and tablets were mostly responsible for the surge in digital news consumption.

The New York Times

Italians have long adored it, and are mostly responsible for cultivating it in the United States.

The New York Times - Food

He fully acknowledges that he and other bankers are mostly responsible for the country's housing mess.

The New York Times

There are a number of paramilitary units, which are mostly responsible for internal security.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Giordano has maintained that overly generous union contracts are mostly responsible for the city's economic troubles.

The New York Times

He has said the lack of new refineries in the past 25 years was mostly responsible for tight supplies.

The New York Times

Mr. Egan contributed some exterior details, but he was mostly responsible for the inside: dashboard, door handles and other functional parts.

The New York Times

Yet like Burnley they have a lot of self-belief, and they have an outstanding manager who is mostly responsible for that self-belief.

The Guardian - Sport

Eric Idle, who's mostly responsible for the long-running Broadway production of "Spamalot," writes musical shows, many of them recycling Python material.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly responsible for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what other factors might also contribute to the outcome. This avoids implying sole responsibility where it doesn't exist.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly responsible for" when the actual contribution is minor or uncertain. Be precise about the degree of influence to maintain accuracy and avoid misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly responsible for" functions as a predicate adjective describing the degree of influence or causation. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its common use in attributing responsibility for various outcomes. It indicates a significant but not exclusive role in bringing about a certain result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mostly responsible for" is a versatile expression used to indicate a primary but not exclusive cause or influence. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts. The analysis reveals it functions as a predicate adjective, assigning accountability or attributing causality. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific sources, the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register. For clarity, avoid overstating responsibility and specify contributing factors. Replace it with "primarily accountable for" or "largely to blame for" depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily accountable for

Focuses on the aspect of accountability and being the main reason.

largely to blame for

Emphasizes blame and a significant degree of responsibility.

mainly liable for

Highlights legal or formal responsibility.

chiefly answerable for

Stresses being the foremost person or entity to answer for something.

primarily due to

Shifts the focus to the cause or reason behind an event.

considerably attributable to

Highlights the attribution of a result or outcome to a specific factor.

significantly caused by

Emphasizes causation but to a significant extent.

in large part down to

An idiomatic expression indicating a substantial contribution.

substantially resulting from

Focuses on the result and its primary cause.

largely influenced by

Highlights the role of influence rather than direct responsibility.

FAQs

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

Use "mostly responsible for" to indicate a significant but not exclusive cause or influence. For example, "The lack of funding is "mostly responsible for" the project's delay.".

What are some alternatives to saying "mostly responsible for"?

Alternatives include phrases like "primarily accountable for", "largely to blame for", or "mainly liable for", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "mainly responsible for" instead of "mostly responsible for"?

Yes, "mainly responsible for" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative to "mostly responsible for". Both indicate a primary but not exclusive responsibility.

What's the difference between "partly responsible for" and "mostly responsible for"?

"Partly responsible for" indicates a contributing factor, while "mostly responsible for" suggests a major or primary contributing factor. The latter implies a greater degree of influence or causation.