pass the responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pass the responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of transferring duties or obligations from one person or group to another. Example: "In our team meeting, we decided to pass the responsibility for the project deadline to the marketing department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

He denied trying to pass the responsibility for tackling global warming from politicians to the public.

The Guardian

Her gesture should be applauded in a time when too many pass the responsibility for the world's problems to aid agencies and governments.

Independent

An adviser to Gusmao said the prime minister felt it was time to pass the responsibility of governing to the next generation.

The Guardian

It is unreasonable to pass the responsibility of papering over the cracks of the EU sovereign debt crisis on to Olli Rehn and Jean-Claude Trichet.

The Guardian - Business

We therefore fall back on our understanding of what we think is 'sustainable' and this can often be out of date or led by marketers, or we pass the responsibility to others in the supply chain.

The Guardian

"Maybe it's an odd thing for someone in government to say, but I just think there's a real opportunity and a need here". He denied trying to pass the responsibility for tackling global warming from politicians to the public.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Therefore Dienst passed the responsibility for the decision to his linesman Tofiq Bahramov.

The Guardian - Sport

Starmer made clear he was not changing the law, passing the responsibility for any statutory change to parliament.

The Guardian

"No one wants to take real responsibility for homeless people," says Heidari. "The police say it's the municipality's responsibility, the municipality passes the responsibility to the Welfare Organisation and they say the Interior Ministry should deal with them".

The Guardian

As for "saying goodbye" to the I.R.S., the authors' plan does so only by passing the responsibility for tax collection to the states.

The New York Times - Books

If he is subtle about it, Obama can recreate the coalitions that passed the "responsibility to protect" and marshalled African pressure on Sudan, for example.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pass the responsibility", clearly specify who is passing the responsibility and to whom it is being passed. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pass the responsibility" without specifying the exact nature of the responsibility. Being specific adds clarity and prevents misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass the responsibility" functions as a verb phrase typically used within a clause to indicate the act of transferring a duty, obligation, or task to another party. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pass the responsibility" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of transferring a duty or obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, general discussions, and even some formal settings. While its frequency is considered uncommon, it is broadly understood. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is transferring the responsibility and to whom it is being transferred. Some related phrases include "delegate the responsibility", "transfer the onus", and "assign the duty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delegate the responsibility

This alternative focuses on the act of assigning the responsibility to another party.

transfer the onus

This option uses 'onus' which is a synonym for responsibility, implying a formal shift of duty.

assign the duty

Replaces 'responsibility' with 'duty', highlighting the obligatory aspect of the task.

shift the burden

This emphasizes the negative aspect of the responsibility as a 'burden' that is moved.

hand over accountability

Accountability is handed over implying someone else has to answer to the outcome

cede control

It focuses more on relinquishing control, which is a consequence of transferring responsibility.

relinquish the mandate

This highlights the official or authorized nature of the responsibility being transferred.

devolve authority

This alternative suggests a formal decentralization of power and responsibility.

farm out the task

This is a more informal way to describe outsourcing or subcontracting a responsibility.

offload the obligation

Highlights the idea of relieving oneself of a compulsory action.

FAQs

What does "pass the responsibility" mean?

The phrase "pass the responsibility" means to transfer a duty, obligation, or task from one person or group to another.

How to use "pass the responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "pass the responsibility" in a sentence like this: "The manager decided to "delegate the responsibility" for marketing to a new team member".

What can I say instead of "pass the responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "delegate the responsibility", "transfer the onus", or "assign the duty" depending on the context.

Is it better to "pass the responsibility" or "delegate the responsibility"?

Both "pass the responsibility" and "delegate the responsibility" are acceptable. However, "delegate the responsibility" is often used in more formal or business contexts, while "pass the responsibility" is more general.