responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"responsibility" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a task or obligation you, or someone else, have to fulfill. Example Sentence: Being a parent is a great responsibility.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The presidential commission for the study of bioethical issues said the US must be better prepared for a future emergency, arguing that the federal government has a moral and prudential responsibility to get involved in the global response.

The Guardian

The Taliban claimed responsibility.

The New York Times

I take full responsibility for not being more aggressive on this front.

The Guardian - Tech

You have a precious opportunity, and an important responsibility, in explaining and demonstrating how faith in Islam can be part of British identity.

The Guardian

And, given that very unique responsibility that he has, it's simply impossible for him to continue in that role when such very major question marks are being raised about his financial affairs".

The Guardian

Abbott said the federal government believed "the states should take more responsibility for their public hospitals and for their public schools and we make no apologies for wanting the states to be grown up, adult governments that take responsibility for the programs that are theirs, for the institutions that they run".

The Guardian

In theory, it is possible that gentle nudges will turn into intrusive diktats and the nanny state will drain individual responsibility.

The New York Times

4. GNM accepts no responsibility for any damage, loss, liabilities, injury or disappointment incurred or suffered by you as a result of entering the Competition or accepting the prize.

The Guardian

When asked if the family had allowed di Girolamo to escape the consequences of the loan as Eddie junior had taken responsibility for it, Paul replied that the two were very close: "I sometimes think he treats me like his step-brother and Nick like his real brother".

The Guardian

It's important to remember that as liberals, conservative women think of individual responsibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is a long-running show on Italia 1 called Le lene and, a while back, three of its regulars, Trio Medusa, collared the Rome city official with responsibility for policing the stadium and took him through some hypothetical questions about what would happen if a female tourist was repeatedly struck in the face and the attackers took her camera.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym, such as "accountability" for situations emphasizing answerability, or "duty" for moral or legal obligations.

Common error

Avoid listing too many "responsibilities" in a single sentence. Break down the list or use phrases like "among other responsibilities" to improve readability and comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The noun "responsibility" functions primarily to denote a duty, obligation, or accountability. It describes the state of being responsible for something, whether it be a task, action, or outcome. Ludwig AI validates this with examples illustrating its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "responsibility" is a versatile noun denoting a duty, obligation, or accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts. It's commonly found in news articles, business communications, and scientific writings. When using "responsibility", ensure clarity by specifying who holds the responsibility and what it entails. Consider synonyms like "accountability" or "duty" depending on the context. Avoid overloading sentences with too many responsibilities for better readability. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively communicate expectations and roles with greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accountability

Focuses more on being answerable for actions and decisions.

duty

Emphasizes a moral or legal obligation.

obligation

Highlights a binding requirement or commitment.

liability

Refers to legal or financial responsibility.

onus

Suggests a burden or difficult responsibility.

burden

Implies a heavy or difficult responsibility.

charge

Highlights assigned duties or tasks.

task

A specific duty or piece of work.

commitment

Emphasizes dedication and willingness to fulfill responsibilities.

answerability

Stresses the need to give an explanation or justification.

FAQs

How can I use "responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "responsibility" to describe a duty, obligation, or task that someone is accountable for. For example, "Taking care of the environment is everyone's responsibility."

What's the difference between "responsibility" and "accountability"?

"Responsibility" refers to the duty or obligation to complete a task, while "accountability" implies being answerable for the outcomes or consequences of those actions. You can have responsibility without accountability, but you cannot have accountability without responsibility.

What can I say instead of "take responsibility"?

Alternatives to "take responsibility" include "accept responsibility", "shoulder the responsibility", or "be accountable".

Is it correct to say "have a responsibility" or "has a responsibility"?

Both are correct, depending on the subject. Use "have a responsibility" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have a responsibility") and "has a responsibility" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has a responsibility").