responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

'responsible' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used as an adjective to describe someone who takes ownership and accountability for a task or situation. For example: The company's CEO is responsible for setting and executing the company's strategy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will want to determine that those responsible for operating this ride have done what the law requires.

The Guardian

Landlords are responsible for most repairs.

The Guardian

"We did the responsible thing.

The Guardian

You are responsible for the cost (if any) of sending your Competition entry to us.

The Guardian

The principle is simple in theory — Beijing is responsible for the city's defence and foreign affairs; Hong Kong enjoys limited self-governance and civil liberties, including an independent judiciary and unrestricted press.

The Guardian

We are continuing our campaign, and continue to lobby for intervention from Ed Vaizey and Jeremy Hunt (who are responsible for superintending library services nationwide) to avoid yet more needless waste of public money and irreparable damage to our library service.

The Guardian - Books

First up is "A balanced approach to a responsible budget... that grows the economy and shrinks long-term deficits".

The Guardian

The study did say that storms, starfish attacks and coral bleaching were responsible for the dramatic loss of coral cover on the reef.

The Guardian

So that the Nazis would not hold their real working group responsible, Piechowski and Bendera formed a fake group of four, recruiting another boy scout, Stanislaw Gustaw Jaster, and priest Józef Lempart for their "spectacular escape".

The Guardian

The premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the deal demonstrated her support for "responsible and sustainable development" of the port and the Galilee Basin, inland from Bowen in north Queensland.

The Guardian

She did not hold "the many responsible for the actions of one", she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "responsible", provide context to show why they are considered trustworthy or reliable. This adds credibility to your claim and helps the audience understand their qualifications.

Common error

Avoid using "responsible" interchangeably with "to blame". While both terms relate to accountability, "responsible" can simply indicate a duty, whereas "to blame" implies fault or wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "responsible" primarily functions to ascribe accountability or obligation. It describes an entity (person, group, or organization) that is answerable for actions, decisions, or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as showcased in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "responsible" is a versatile adjective that signifies accountability, reliability, and causality. It's deemed grammatically correct and very common, according to Ludwig AI, featuring prominently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, be mindful of the subtle differences between "responsible" and similar terms like "accountable" or "to blame". Use "responsible" to clarify who is in charge and to ensure that duties are properly assigned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accountable

Emphasizes being required to answer for one's actions.

liable

Highlights legal or financial obligation.

answerable

Focuses on the obligation to provide an explanation or justification.

in charge

Suggests having control or management over something.

trustworthy

Indicates reliability and integrity.

reliable

Focuses on consistency and dependability.

culpable

Emphasizes blameworthiness or guilt.

to blame

Directly assigns fault or responsibility for a negative outcome.

taking ownership

Implies accepting responsibility willingly and proactively.

held accountable

Highlights the act of being made to answer for actions.

FAQs

How can I use the word "responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "responsible" to indicate accountability, as in "The manager is responsible for the team's performance", or to describe someone reliable, such as "She is a responsible employee".

What are some alternatives to saying "responsible"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "accountable", "liable", or "in charge".

What is the difference between "responsible" and "accountable"?

"Responsible" generally means having a duty or obligation, while "accountable" implies being answerable for the outcome of that duty. You can be responsible for a task but not accountable if you delegate it.

Is it correct to say someone is "responsible for" something?

Yes, it is correct. "Responsible for" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to indicate that someone is in charge of or accountable for something, as in "He is responsible for the project's success".