must lie with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must lie with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate responsibility or accountability for a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The final decision must lie with the board of directors, as they hold the authority to approve the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Power must lie with them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Part of the answer must lie with celebrity culture.

Independent

Part of the blame must lie with the Victorians.

Independent

Much of the blame must lie with Greece's politicians.

The Economist

Pedder says some blame must lie with senior officers.

The Guardian

Why? Part of the explanation must lie with Rwanda's over-population.

The Economist

The larger responsibility must lie with the currently more powerful state.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the responsibility for ending hatred must lie with the stronger partner.

The Guardian

Some blame must lie with Roth's adapters, who have struggled with even rudimentary pieces of exposition.

The New Yorker

The responsibility for this must lie with the leadership of the company.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Publishers say that responsibility for errors and fabrications ultimately must lie with the author.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must lie with", ensure that the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid confusion about who or what holds the responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "must lie with" when the responsibility is shared or unclear. Overusing it can lead to misrepresentation of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must lie with" primarily functions as a verbal phrase used to express where responsibility, authority, or a determining factor is located. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a usable and correct English phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used to assign blame, responsibility, or to indicate the source of a solution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must lie with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote where responsibility or authority resides. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is indeed usable and appropriate in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, use "must lie with" to avoid ambiguity and make clear the responsible party. Alternative phrases include "rests with", "is the responsibility of", or "is dependent on", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rests with

Indicates where responsibility or authority is placed; it changes the verb while maintaining a formal tone.

is the responsibility of

Explicitly states that someone has a duty or obligation, making it more direct.

is incumbent upon

Emphasizes a moral or legal obligation, adding a stronger sense of duty.

falls upon

Suggests that the responsibility or burden has landed on someone, often unexpectedly.

is attributable to

Highlights that something is caused or influenced by a particular factor or person.

is dependent on

Indicates reliance or conditional relationship, shifting the focus to reliance.

is located in

Focuses on physical placement or location, diverging from the sense of responsibility.

is found within

Suggests that something exists within a particular context or area.

is the domain of

Indicates that something falls under the control or expertise of someone or something.

resides in

Implies that something exists or is inherent within a particular place or entity.

FAQs

How can I use "must lie with" in a sentence?

Use "must lie with" to indicate where the responsibility or authority resides. For example, "The ultimate decision "must lie with" the CEO."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "must lie with"?

Alternatives include "rests with", "is the responsibility of", or "is dependent on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the responsibility must lie with"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "must lie with" clearly indicates where the responsibility resides.

What's the difference between "must lie with" and "should lie with"?

"Must lie with" implies a requirement or necessity, while "should lie with" suggests a recommendation or preference. The former indicates a definitive placement of responsibility, whereas the latter is advisory.