really responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extent of someone's accountability or role in a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The manager was really responsible for the team's success this quarter, as she implemented effective strategies and motivated everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Jim is really responsible for my career," Ms. DeGeneres said.

The New York Times

Are they really responsible for the financial crisis?

The Guardian - Business

But beyond this, how much was he really responsible for?

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps McCain isn't really responsible for his own comments either.

The Guardian - Opinion

On a bike, he said, "you're really responsible for what's going to happen to you".

The New Yorker

No one is really responsible for your soul, or your umbrella, but you.

The New Yorker

Again, in the words of John Paul II: "We are all really responsible for all".

The Guardian - Opinion

Warren's tenacity on DVD is really responsible for the unification of the business".

The New York Times

The play "shows how our abandonment of the Afghans in 1989 is really responsible for the situation today," she said.

The New York Times

Is the decline in testosterone levels really responsible for most of the symptoms of aging in men?

The New Yorker

"He was really responsible for national exposure to the music from the late 1940's to the early 1970's".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When attributing responsibility, be specific. Instead of saying "The company is really responsible for the decline", specify which department or decision was pivotal e.g. "The marketing department is really responsible for the sales decline".

Common error

Avoid using "really responsible for" when the accountability is shared or unclear. Overstating responsibility can lead to misrepresentation and create unnecessary conflict or blame. Use qualifiers like "partially" or "somewhat" if the responsibility is not absolute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really responsible for" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to emphasize the extent of accountability or causation. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

29%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really responsible for" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to emphasize accountability. According to Ludwig AI, it is appropriate for various contexts including news, general discussions and formal writing, with the primary communicative purpose of stressing someone or something's role in causing a specific outcome. While highly versatile, it is important to consider alternatives such as "truly accountable for", "primarily to blame for", or "largely responsible for" to better align with the intended nuance. Ensure you use this phrase when the level of responsibility is indeed significant and well-defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly accountable for

Emphasizes the aspect of being answerable or liable for something, highlighting a formal obligation.

genuinely liable for

Highlights the authentic or sincere nature of being held responsible, implying moral or ethical considerations.

directly answerable for

Indicates a clear and immediate line of responsibility, leaving no room for ambiguity.

primarily to blame for

Focuses on culpability or fault, suggesting that someone or something is the main cause of a negative outcome.

chiefly accountable for

Highlights that the person or thing is the main responsible, usually on an official capacity.

largely responsible for

Suggests a significant degree of responsibility, but acknowledges that other factors may also be involved.

significantly responsible for

Similar to "largely responsible", it indicates a noteworthy level of involvement or causation.

mainly responsible for

Indicates that the person or entity is the principal or dominant cause, above all others.

essentially responsible for

Focuses on the core or fundamental level of responsibility, suggesting a critical role.

instrumental in

Indicates a key role in bringing about a particular outcome or result, often in a positive context.

FAQs

How can I use "really responsible for" in a sentence?

You can use "really responsible for" to emphasize someone's or something's accountability for an outcome. For example, "The project manager was "really responsible for" the successful completion of the project".

What are some alternatives to using "really responsible for"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "truly accountable for", "primarily to blame for", or "largely responsible for".

Is there a difference between "responsible for" and "really responsible for"?

Yes, "really responsible for" adds emphasis, highlighting a significant degree of accountability, while "responsible for" simply acknowledges a basic level of responsibility. The addition of "really" intensifies the assertion.

When should I avoid using "really responsible for"?

Avoid using "really responsible for" when the accountability is shared or unclear. In such cases, using qualifiers like "partially" or "somewhat" is more accurate and avoids misrepresentation.