responsibility lies with

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "responsibility lies with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to assign responsibility for an action or situation to someone or something. For example, "The responsibility lies with the government to ensure the long-term sustainability of our resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The responsibility lies with him.

The New Yorker

Ultimately, though, the responsibility lies with Macbeth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first responsibility lies with the owners.

The Economist

The main responsibility lies with the industry.

The New York Times

But the fundamental responsibility lies with Bangladesh's leaders.

The New York Times

As a whole, Americans believe that responsibility lies with parents.

The Economist

So far, the responsibility lies with civil servants.

The Economist

The responsibility lies with us - national and local leaders alike.

Independent

So the responsibility lies with the batsmen in that regard".

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, the responsibility lies with the leadership of our country.

The Guardian

And that the responsibility lies with the King.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "responsibility lies with", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "responsibility lies with someone", specify "responsibility lies with the project manager".

Common error

Avoid using "responsibility lies with" in excessively passive constructions. While grammatically correct, overusing passive voice can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Opt for active constructions when possible to create a more direct and engaging message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "responsibility lies with" functions as a declarative expression. Ludwig confirms that it assigns accountability or duty to a specific entity. It clearly identifies who is in charge or answerable for something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "responsibility lies with" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to assign accountability or duty to a specific person or entity. Ludwig confirms that. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent use in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, reflecting its neutral register. While alternatives such as "the onus is on" or "accountability rests with" exist, "responsibility lies with" provides a clear and direct way to indicate who is in charge or answerable for a particular outcome. It is essential to clearly define the subject when using this phrase to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accountability rests with

Replaces "responsibility" with "accountability", focusing on who is answerable for outcomes.

the onus is on

Replaces "responsibility" with "onus", emphasizing a burden or obligation.

the duty falls upon

Substitutes "responsibility" with "duty" and uses "falls upon" to indicate where the obligation rests.

the obligation belongs to

Emphasizes that the duty or requirement is specifically assigned to someone.

it is incumbent upon

Uses "incumbent upon" to express a binding duty or obligation.

they bear the burden of

Highlights the weight or difficulty associated with the responsibility.

they are in charge of

Focuses on the aspect of being in control and therefore responsible.

the task is up to

Simplifies the phrase, indicating that someone has been given a specific task or duty.

it's their job to

States the responsibility as a defined role or job function.

the buck stops at

An idiomatic expression indicating the ultimate responsibility resides with someone.

FAQs

How do I use "responsibility lies with" in a sentence?

Use "responsibility lies with" to indicate who or what is accountable for a specific task, duty, or outcome. For example, "The "responsibility lies with the team" to meet the project deadline."

What's a formal alternative to "responsibility lies with"?

A more formal alternative is "the onus is on". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "responsibility lies on" instead of "responsibility lies with"?

No, the correct preposition to use is "with". Saying "responsibility lies on" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "responsibility lies with".

What's the difference between "responsibility lies with" and "the buck stops here"?

"Responsibility lies with" indicates where a duty is assigned, while "the buck stops here" signifies that someone accepts ultimate accountability, even if the duty is delegated.