passed on responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'passed on responsibility' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to describe the action of transferring the authority or control of something to another person, usually due to an increase in rank or seniority. For example: "With the promotion to President, Martin passed on responsibility to his Vice President."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the end, he abandoned one project, passed on responsibility for another, and did a poor job on the third.

Harvard Business Review

It will also be remembered for his lack of defensive awareness in the build up to Chile's second goal – tracking Eduardo Vargas inside when he should have passed on responsibility to Alex Wilkinson.

The Guardian - Sport

Indeed, it was Liverpool who should have gone ahead after 18 minutes when Philippe Coutinho sent Lazar Markovic through on goal but he mysteriously passed on responsibility to Sterling, matters made worse by the failure to find his intended target.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"St John's Church acted properly in passing on responsibility for maintenance of the graveyard in 2011/12, but the transfer process has taken longer than usual.

BBC

Although the U.S. Constitution has delegated educational authority to the states, which in turn passed on the responsibility for the daily administration of schools to local districts, there is no lack of federal counsel and assistance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And David E. Shaw of D. E. Shaw & Company has passed on management responsibilities to a committee of executives.

The New York Times

It's also an example of where we shouldn't be passing on responsibility for the curation of our culture.

The Guardian

"There is a passing on of tradition, passing on legacy, passing on responsibility," Mr. Bush said then, according to Professor Parmet's transcript of the conversation.

The New York Times

An unhealthy deference to power is taught from an early age, as is a deep reluctance to pass on responsibility downward.

The New York Times

"I was handicapped by lack of knowledge of both foreign and domestic affairs — due principally to Mr. Roosevelt's inability to pass on responsibility," Truman wrote in his diary.

The New Yorker

Instead there was a tone that was belligerent and challenging, bordering on arrogant, and inappropriate in the circumstances, an indecent haste to pass on responsibility.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passed on responsibility", ensure the context clearly indicates who is transferring the responsibility and to whom it is being transferred. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clarity in communication.

Common error

Avoid using "passed on responsibility" without specifying the exact nature of the responsibility being transferred. This can lead to confusion and a lack of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed on responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, describing an action where accountability or duties are transferred from one party to another. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes transferring authority or control.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passed on responsibility" describes the act of transferring duties or accountability, often in organizational or managerial contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and generally used to describe transferring authority or control of something. While relatively rare, its use spans news, science, and business domains. When using the phrase, it's best to specify who is transferring the responsibility and to whom, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. Alternatives such as "delegated responsibility" or "transferred duties" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

handing over responsibility

Implies a more informal transfer of duties or obligations.

delegated responsibility

Focuses on the act of formally assigning responsibility, emphasizing the authority granted.

entrusted responsibility

Highlights the element of trust in assigning duties to another person.

transferred duties

Highlights the movement of tasks or assignments, suggesting a change in workload distribution.

assigned accountability

Emphasizes the act of making someone answerable for specific outcomes or actions.

shifted obligations

Indicates a change in required actions or commitments, often due to restructuring or policy changes.

ceded control

Focuses on giving up power or command, often in a strategic or necessary manner.

offloaded responsibility

Suggests a desire to reduce one's own burden by transferring it to someone else.

relinquished control

Emphasizes a formal and often reluctant surrender of power or authority.

devolved authority

Implies spreading decision-making power across different levels or entities within an organization.

FAQs

How can I use "passed on responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "passed on responsibility" to describe the act of delegating or transferring a duty or obligation. For example, "The manager "passed on responsibility" for the project to her assistant."

What are some alternatives to "passed on responsibility"?

Alternatives include "delegated responsibility", "transferred duties", or "assigned accountability", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pass on responsibility" instead of "passed on responsibility"?

Both forms are grammatically correct but convey slightly different meanings. "Pass on responsibility" indicates a general action or possibility, while "passed on responsibility" describes a completed action.

What's the difference between "delegated responsibility" and "passed on responsibility"?

"Delegated responsibility" implies a formal assignment of duties, while "passed on responsibility" can suggest a more informal or even reluctant transfer. Delegated responsibility carries an aura of authority.