own the responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"own the responsibility" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to take full responsibility for something, often implying a sense of accountability and ownership. Example: As the project manager, I will own the responsibility for the success of this project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It's also a trap for America: If we invade Iraq alone, we own Iraq alone -- we own the responsibility of rebuilding it into a more progressive Arab state alone.

The New York Times

Though she is one of three children, and has three grown children of her own, the responsibility of caring for her mother, which includes feeding, bathing and readying her for bed most nights, falls squarely on Susan's shoulders, as her father has become too frail to provide adequate care for his wife.

The New York Times

We challenge you to own the responsibility of your product until the very end.

Huffington Post

We own these words and we own the responsibility to live them.

Huffington Post

As adults, we need to proudly own the responsibility for guiding kids, gay kids included, toward their authentic selves.

Huffington Post

These women's stories suggest that they are happy to own the responsibility for their pregnancies up to a certain point, but they also identify a time when it is time to relinquish control and return the responsibility for childbirth back to 'the professional'.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

As Press Secretary, Spicer owned the responsibility of being honest with the American people, just as he now owns his glaring failure to live up to it.

Huffington Post

Leadership owning the responsibility for articulating and reinforcing the culture sends a powerful message from the top about the type of organization you want to create.

Huffington Post

How could I serve patriotically as a U.S. Army Officer, owning the responsibility of waging war against our national enemies, but remain a man of the Hindu faith believing in the peaceful coexistence of all beings?

Huffington Post

If we allow our elected officials to continue to dodge this issue or offer nothing but the rhetoric we have heard for decades, ultimately, we shall own both the responsibility for failure and its consequences.

The New York Times

Generally, if the disorder appeared without explanation or due to own actions, the responsibility to manage the disorder was placed on oneself.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "own the responsibility", ensure that you or the subject of the sentence has the authority and capability to manage the responsibility effectively. This implies not just acceptance, but also control and management.

Common error

Avoid using "own the responsibility" when the subject does not have the resources, skills or authority to effectively manage the task or duty. Misattributing responsibility can lead to inefficiencies and failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "own the responsibility" functions as a verbal phrase used to express the act of fully accepting and taking accountability for a particular task, duty, or outcome. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, indicating active involvement and control.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "own the responsibility" is a grammatically correct and relatively common phrase used to denote the full acceptance and accountability for a task or outcome. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it implies not only acknowledging a duty, but also actively managing it. While it appears in news and media, it is adaptable to various professional settings where clear accountability is needed. Remember to use this phrase when the subject can manage the said task, and remember to attribute responsibility correctly to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take responsibility

Replaces "own" with "take", a more common and straightforward expression of assuming responsibility.

take ownership of

Shifts the focus to the ownership aspect, implying a deeper level of commitment.

assume the obligation

Replaces "responsibility" with "obligation", highlighting the binding nature of the duty.

accept accountability

Changes the focus from ownership to acceptance of being held accountable.

shoulder the burden

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty associated with the responsibility.

embrace accountability

Suggests a willingness to not just accept, but actively welcome accountability.

bear the onus

Uses a more formal and less common term, "onus", to refer to the burden of responsibility.

accept liability

Focuses on accepting the legal or financial responsibility for something.

be liable for

Highlights the legal or financial consequences of the responsibility.

be responsible for

A more generic way of stating responsibility, lacking the emphasis on ownership.

FAQs

What does it mean to "own the responsibility"?

To "own the responsibility" means to fully accept accountability for something, implying not just acknowledgment but also a sense of control and management over the outcome.

How can I use "own the responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate that someone is fully accountable for a task or outcome. For example: "As project lead, I "take responsibility" and will "own the responsibility" for the project's success."

What are some alternatives to saying "own the responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "take responsibility", "accept accountability", or "shoulder the burden" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "take responsibility" or "own the responsibility"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "own the responsibility" often suggests a deeper level of commitment and control compared to simply "take responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.