must be responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "must be responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that someone should be accountable and reliable for something. For example, "As a leader in this company, you must be responsible for making sure that deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And to lead this nation to a responsibility era, a president himself must be responsible.

The New York Times

Cop must be responsible.

The New York Times

"A few people must be responsible.

The New York Times

I must be responsible and accountable for my actions.

The New York Times - Sports

You must be responsible to our nation, our party.

The New York Times

"The police must be responsible for protecting society," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other types of genetic variation must be responsible for the taxonomic differences.

Journal of Molecular Biology

"The association must be responsible for Japan's national sport," Tatsuo Kawabata said.

The Guardian

A government must be responsible, Satter Shah says, and he knows which one.

The New York Times - Magazine

This reflects an idea both old and new: directors must be responsible.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Corporate America must be responsible for its behavior as well," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must be responsible", ensure that the context clearly defines the scope and nature of the responsibility. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures that expectations are well-understood.

Common error

Avoid using "must be responsible" without specifying what someone is responsible for. Without clear parameters, the phrase becomes ineffective and can lead to misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must be responsible" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a strong obligation or necessity. As Ludwig AI reports, it asserts that someone has a duty or requirement to fulfill a particular role or task. Examples show its use in assigning accountability to individuals, organizations, or systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "must be responsible" is a very common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase that conveys a strong obligation or duty. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in English writing. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it serves to assign accountability and emphasize expectations. When using this phrase, be mindful of clearly defining the scope of the responsibility to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "has to be accountable" and "should be held accountable" can be considered depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has to be accountable

Replaces "must" with "has to", emphasizing obligation and replaces "responsible" with "accountable", highlighting the need to answer for one's actions.

is required to be liable

Replaces "must" with "is required", stressing necessity and replaces "responsible" with "liable", focusing on legal or financial obligations.

should be held accountable

Substitutes "must" with "should", softening the obligation, and adds "held accountable", emphasizing external judgment.

needs to take ownership

Replaces "must be responsible" with a more active phrase, emphasizing taking control and accepting consequences.

is bound to answer

Uses "is bound" to convey obligation and "answer" to suggest accountability for actions or decisions.

is compelled to be in charge

Replaces "must" with "is compelled", emphasizing external pressure and changes "responsible" with "in charge", focusing on leadership.

is duty-bound to be reliable

Uses "duty-bound" to emphasize moral obligation and "reliable" to focus on dependability.

has a duty to act

Focuses on the obligation to take action, emphasizing proactive responsibility.

is the one at fault

Shifts the focus to blame or culpability, suggesting a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

bears the burden of

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty of the responsibility being assigned.

FAQs

How can I use "must be responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "must be responsible" to indicate an obligation or duty. For instance, "The manager "must be responsible" for ensuring all team members are properly trained".

What are some alternatives to using "must be responsible"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has to be accountable", "should be held accountable", or "needs to take ownership". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to use "must be responsible" or "should be responsible"?

"Must be responsible" implies a stronger obligation than "should be responsible". "Must" indicates a necessity or requirement, while "should" suggests a recommendation or advice. Consider the level of enforcement when selecting the appropriate phrase.

Can "must be responsible" be used in a formal context?

Yes, "must be responsible" is suitable for formal contexts, especially when delineating clear duties or obligations. However, in less formal settings, alternatives like "needs to take ownership" might be more appropriate.