reject responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reject responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing accountability or the lack thereof in a situation or decision. Example: "The company decided to reject responsibility for the faulty product, claiming it was a manufacturing error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Those at Charlie Hebdo are acutely concerned by, but reject responsibility for, what may be done in the name of – and récuperation from – the murder of their colleagues.

The Guardian

Do we tackle the drivers and help the displaced, or worsen conditions causing the displacement and reject responsibility for those affected?

The Guardian

How can the candidates claim to endorse American leadership, yet reject responsibility for those deprived of freedom and security abroad?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Indonesia and Norway have also rejected responsibility for the passengers.

The New York Times

The contractors repeatedly rejected responsibility for "end-to-end" testing of the site.

The Guardian

The ad is gone, but the congressman should know better than to try to be cute about rejecting responsibility for the misleading tactics from his own party organization.

The New York Times

Over the weekend a British seed company, Thompson & Morgan, rejected responsibility for the outbreak after a French official said that the sprouts used in the gazpacho were from seeds supplied by the company.

The New York Times

Dow has rejected responsibility for managing the aftermath of the disaster, which, in addition to the physical disabilities of thousands, includes contaminated water and soil in the surrounding area, saying the plant is now under the control of the Madhya Pradesh government.

The New York Times

Israel rejects responsibility for this catastrophe and places the blame at Hamas's feet.

HuffPost

In an interview with Al Jazeera, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke rejected responsibility for effecting change in Qatar.

Huffington Post

Back in Australia, the government has rejected responsibility for the men, as well as an offer from New Zealand to take 150 of them.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reject responsibility for", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the rejecting, and for what specific action or outcome they are disclaiming responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "reject responsibility for" when the intent is simply to deny blame. Responsibility encompasses a broader scope, including duties and obligations, while blame specifically refers to culpability for a wrongdoing. If you're simply saying it wasn't their fault, avoid using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reject responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating a deliberate act of disclaiming or refusing to accept accountability or obligations related to something. Ludwig AI examples show it being used in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reject responsibility for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing a refusal to accept accountability or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that it often appears in news and media contexts, but is also applicable across science and professional fields. While alternatives like "deny accountability for" or "shirk responsibility for" exist, understanding the subtle differences in meaning and formality is key to effective communication. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about who is rejecting what and why. Be mindful not to equate responsibility solely with blame. Overall, "reject responsibility for" is a versatile term with a professional connotation that suits numerous scenarios where accountability is declined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deny accountability for

Shifts focus to denying accountability, emphasizing a refusal to accept blame.

shirk responsibility for

Suggests an attempt to evade or avoid responsibility.

disavow liability for

Formally denies legal or moral obligation.

evade accountability for

Highlights the act of actively avoiding being held accountable.

decline to take ownership of

Focuses on refusing to accept ownership, implying a broader scope than just responsibility.

refuse to be held liable for

Emphasizes a rejection of legal or financial liability.

abdicate responsibility for

Implies a formal relinquishing of duty or obligation.

pass the buck for

An informal expression suggesting the shifting of blame to someone else.

wash one's hands of

Suggests a complete disavowal and detachment from any involvement or responsibility.

repudiate obligation for

Highlights the act of rejecting a moral obligation

FAQs

How can I use "reject responsibility for" in a sentence?

You can use "reject responsibility for" to indicate a refusal to accept accountability for something. For example, "The company chose to "reject responsibility for" the environmental damage caused by the oil spill."

What are some alternatives to "reject responsibility for"?

Alternatives include "deny accountability for", "shirk responsibility for", or "disavow liability for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "reject responsibility for" or "deny responsibility for"?

"Deny responsibility for" is slightly more neutral and commonly used in everyday contexts. "Reject responsibility for" has a firmer tone and is appropriate in more formal situations where a conscious decision to refuse accountability is being emphasized.

What is the difference between "reject responsibility for" and "avoid responsibility for"?

"Reject responsibility for" indicates an explicit refusal to accept accountability. "Avoid responsibility for", on the other hand, suggests actions taken to evade or escape accountability, potentially without an explicit statement of rejection.