rejected responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rejected responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone denying or refusing to accept accountability for a particular action or situation. Example: "The company rejected responsibility for the product defects, claiming they were due to improper use by the customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 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

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

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

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

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

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

HuffPost

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

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "rejected responsibility for", ensure clarity about what specific action or situation the responsibility is being rejected for. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "rejected responsibility for" in situations where there is a partial or shared responsibility. It is most appropriate when the entity believes they have no connection to the matter at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rejected responsibility for" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a deliberate act of refusing to accept accountability or blame. Ludwig examples show it's commonly used in contexts where entities are accused of wrongdoing or negligence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "rejected responsibility for" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of refusing to accept blame or accountability, typically in situations involving accusations or claims of wrongdoing. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and mostly appears in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the specific action or situation for which responsibility is being rejected, and avoid using it in cases where there is partial or shared accountability. Alternatives include "denied accountability for" or "disclaimed responsibility for". In conclusion, this phrase accurately conveys a formal denial of obligation or fault.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

denied accountability for

Replaces "rejected responsibility" with "denied accountability", focusing on the denial of being held to account.

disclaimed responsibility for

Uses "disclaimed" to indicate a formal rejection of responsibility.

refused to take responsibility for

Emphasizes the act of refusing to accept responsibility.

declined to accept responsibility for

Similar to refusing, but with a slightly more formal tone using "declined".

shirked responsibility for

Implies an attempt to avoid or evade responsibility.

evaded responsibility for

Suggests actively avoiding being held responsible.

renounced responsibility for

Indicates a formal and decisive rejection of responsibility.

repudiated responsibility for

Similar to renouncing, suggesting a strong disagreement with being assigned responsibility.

washed their hands of

Idiomatic expression indicating a complete disavowal of involvement or responsibility.

would not own up to

Implies a refusal to admit fault or responsibility.

FAQs

What does it mean to "reject responsibility for" something?

To "reject responsibility for" something means to refuse to accept blame or accountability for a particular action, event, or situation. It implies a denial of involvement or obligation.

What can I say instead of "rejected responsibility for"?

You can use alternatives like "denied accountability for", "disclaimed responsibility for", or "refused to take responsibility for" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "rejecting responsibility" and "denying accountability"?

While similar, "rejecting responsibility" focuses on refusing to accept the obligation, whereas "denying accountability" emphasizes refusing to be held answerable or liable. The phrase denied accountability for is a good alternative.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "rejected responsibility for"?

It's appropriate when discussing situations where an entity is explicitly refusing to be held liable or accountable for something, often in response to accusations or claims of wrongdoing. Often it is used when someone refused to take responsibility for.