partly responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

"partly responsible" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is only partially responsible for an outcome or situation. For example, "The city council was partly responsible for the floods due to their lack of investment in drainage infrastructure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Technology is partly responsible.

The Economist

Low elevation is partly responsible.

Independent

The Maoists are partly responsible.

The Economist

Jesus, I'm partly responsible.

The Guardian - Opinion

National-security demands were partly responsible.

The Economist

Again, the authorities have been partly responsible.

The Economist

The recession was only partly responsible.

Princeton University

Discreet eye candy is partly responsible.

The New York Times - Tech

We thought Peyara might be partly responsible".

The New York Times

The DC5 were partly responsible for this.

The Guardian - Music

Lieberman is at least partly responsible for that.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "partly responsible" when stronger terms like "primarily responsible" or "solely responsible" are more accurate. Choose the phrasing that best reflects the true level of accountability.

Common error

Be careful not to exaggerate the influence implied by "partly responsible". Ensure your statement aligns with the actual degree of impact. If someone is only marginally involved, consider using softer language to reflect that.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly responsible" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a shared or partial responsibility for a particular outcome or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "partly responsible" is a versatile and commonly used way to express shared or limited responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Academia and Science. When using the phrase, it's important to be clear about the other contributing factors and avoid overstating the degree of influence. Consider using related phrases like "partially accountable" or "partly to blame" depending on the context and desired level of formality. Overall, "partly responsible" is a valuable tool for expressing nuanced responsibility in a variety of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in part responsible

This is a simple variation in word order, maintaining the same meaning.

partially accountable

This alternative uses "accountable" instead of "responsible", emphasizing the aspect of being answerable or liable to a degree.

to some extent accountable

Similar to "partially accountable", this highlights the limited degree of accountability.

responsible to some degree

This phrase expands on the original, clarifying the extent of responsibility.

partly to blame

This phrase is more direct and implies fault or culpability to some extent.

partly the cause of

This alternative focuses on causation rather than general responsibility.

somewhat liable

This alternative uses a more formal and legal term, "liable", suggesting a degree of legal responsibility.

contributed in part

This alternative shifts the focus to contribution rather than direct responsibility.

played a role in

This phrase is less direct, suggesting involvement without explicitly stating responsibility.

had a hand in

This is an idiomatic expression implying involvement or contribution to an outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "partly responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "partly responsible" to indicate that someone or something shares responsibility for an outcome, but is not entirely to blame. For example, "The new policy was "partly responsible" for the company's increased profits, but other factors also played a role."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "partly responsible"?

Similar phrases include "partially accountable", "partly to blame", and "somewhat liable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "partly responsible" or "partially responsible"?

Both "partly responsible" and "partially responsible" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Partly" is generally considered more concise and common, but "partially" can be used for emphasis or in more formal contexts.

What is the difference between "partly responsible" and "mainly responsible"?

"Partly responsible" indicates a shared or limited responsibility, while "mainly responsible" suggests that someone or something bears the primary or greatest responsibility. The choice depends on the degree of influence you want to convey.