partly responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partly responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when attributing a portion of responsibility or blame to someone or something for a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The heavy rainfall was partly responsible for the flooding in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The DC5 were partly responsible for this.

The Guardian - Music

Ambivalence toward authority has been partly responsible for it.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Jensen himself is partly responsible for that culture".

The New York Times

Students are partly responsible for cycling numbers here.

The Guardian

But it is also partly responsible for the current divisions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Doesn't that make her partly responsible for that discovery?

The New Yorker

Taymor, no doubt, was partly responsible for that.

The New Yorker

The US election was partly responsible for Facebook's gains.

The Guardian - Tech

And that was partly responsible for his murder".

The Guardian - Music

The Greeks are also partly responsible for more recent reversals.

The Economist

And low investment is partly responsible for low productivity growth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "partly responsible for" when you want to indicate that something or someone is one of several factors contributing to a particular outcome, without assigning full blame or credit. For example, "Lack of funding was partly responsible for the project's delay."

Common error

Avoid using "partly responsible for" when the subject is almost entirely responsible. Instead, consider using phrases that indicate greater responsibility, such as "primarily responsible for" or "chiefly responsible for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partly responsible for" functions as a causal connector, linking an action or entity to a consequence or outcome. As Ludwig AI shows, it indicates that the subject contributed to, but was not solely accountable for, a particular result. This is consistent with the Ludwig AI analysis, which confirms its role in attributing partial responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "partly responsible for" serves as a crucial tool in attributing partial causality or accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. It's essential to recognize that while the phrase assigns contribution, it does not imply sole blame or credit. Alternatives such as "partially accountable for" or "contributed in part to" can be used to fine-tune the nuance. When employing this phrase, avoid overstating responsibility and be aware of the potential for positive or negative implications. Use it to convey the idea that something or someone is one of several factors contributing to a particular outcome, and not necessarily the only one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially accountable for

Replaces "responsible" with "accountable", implying a degree of obligation or justification.

was a contributing factor to

Highlights that the subject was one of several factors leading to an outcome.

partially to blame for

Uses "to blame" instead of "responsible", suggesting culpability.

contributed in part to

Emphasizes the contribution aspect rather than responsibility.

bears some responsibility for

Indicates that someone carries a portion of the responsibility.

played a role in

Indicates involvement without necessarily assigning blame or full responsibility.

is partly the reason for

Focuses on the causal aspect, indicating something is one of the reasons why something else happened.

had a hand in

Informal way of saying someone was involved or contributed to something.

is partially the cause of

Similar to "partly the reason for" but more directly stating causation.

shared responsibility for

Suggests that responsibility is divided among multiple parties.

FAQs

How do I use "partly responsible for" in a sentence?

Use "partly responsible for" to indicate that something or someone contributed to an outcome without being the sole cause. For example, "The outdated equipment was partly responsible for the factory's low output".

What can I say instead of "partly responsible for"?

You can use alternatives like "partially accountable for", "contributed in part to", or "played a role in" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "partly responsible for" and "fully responsible for"?

"Partly responsible for" indicates a shared or partial contribution to an outcome, while "fully responsible for" means someone or something is entirely accountable for the result.

Is it always negative when something is described as "partly responsible for"?

Not necessarily. While often used in the context of blame or negative consequences, "partly responsible for" can also describe contributing to a positive outcome. For instance, "The innovative marketing campaign was partly responsible for the company's increased sales".