overriding responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overriding responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a primary or dominant obligation or duty that takes precedence over others. Example: "The manager has the overriding responsibility for ensuring that all safety protocols are followed in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This second hierarchy had at its top the steward (alternatively seneschal or majordomo), who had the overriding responsibility for the domestic affairs of the household.

Wikipedia

Compared with other industrialized countries, highly educated women are poorly represented in the paid work force in South Korea, where Confucian-influenced tradition continues to give married women overriding responsibility for managing the household and raising children.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But I have an overriding responsibility to represent Jesse".

The New York Times

"The BBC is the publicly funded, national broadcaster and has an overriding responsibility to wider society.

The Guardian

They are paid by their athletic department, but their overriding responsibility is to protect the university's interests.

The New York Times - Sports

"Shareholders' overriding responsibility, fiduciary responsibility, to savers is to ensure that companies perform well and provide good returns so savers can be rewarded".

The Guardian - Business

The BBC itself has an overriding responsibility to foster and support good journalism, and to respond proportionately when that journalism is challenged.

The Guardian

And we've got to respect that independence, but we've also got an overriding responsibility to protect that independence as well.

The Guardian

On the contrary, he made clear that his overriding responsibility is to get the provider sector back into balance in the coming financial year.

The Guardian

They have said repeatedly in recent days that the bureau's 28,000 employees will have one overriding responsibility: to prevent further terrorist attacks against Americans.

The New York Times

The president's overriding responsibility is to the living.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overriding responsibility for" when you want to emphasize that one duty or obligation takes precedence over others. It's useful for clarifying priorities in complex situations.

Common error

Avoid using "overriding responsibility for" when all duties are equally important. This phrase implies a clear hierarchy, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation to prevent confusion or miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overriding responsibility for" functions as a determiner and noun phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a primary obligation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overriding responsibility for" effectively emphasizes a primary obligation or duty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, including news, business, and academic writing. While similar to alternatives like "primary responsibility for" or "chief responsibility for", it distinctly highlights prioritization. Remember to use it accurately when indicating a clear hierarchy of duties to avoid miscommunication. By following these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate "overriding responsibility for" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary responsibility for

Emphasizes the main or most important duty, similar to overriding but less forceful in prioritizing.

chief responsibility for

Focuses on the principal or leading aspect of the responsibility.

main duty for

Highlights the core obligation, potentially downplaying prioritization.

principal obligation for

Stresses the primary commitment but can sound more formal.

central task of

Shifts the focus to a specific task that is the most important.

supreme duty to

Indicates the highest level of obligation, similar in force but more formal.

ultimate accountability for

Highlights the final responsibility and who is answerable.

foremost concern with

Emphasizes concern and dedication to a subject, altering the focus from direct duty.

paramount importance in

Shifts the focus to the high value placed on something, rather than direct obligation.

leading role in

Highlights the most prominent role in something, deviating further from direct liability.

FAQs

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

You can use "overriding responsibility for" to indicate the most important duty. For example, "The project manager has the "overriding responsibility for" ensuring the project is completed on time and within budget."

What's a good alternative to "overriding responsibility for"?

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

Is "overriding responsibility for" the same as "ultimate responsibility for"?

While similar, "overriding responsibility for" emphasizes prioritization, whereas "ultimate responsibility for" focuses on who is finally accountable, possibly including tasks delegated to other members.

What is the difference between "overriding concern for" and "overriding responsibility for"?

"Overriding concern for" highlights a primary worry or focus, while "overriding responsibility for" indicates a dominant obligation or duty. The first emphasizes a feeling of care, while the second highlights a task.