shifting of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shifting of responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of transferring accountability or blame from one person or group to another. Example: "The manager's shifting of responsibility onto the team created confusion and frustration among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the larger point is the shifting of responsibility onto both farmers and consumers.

The Guardian

One example of shifting of responsibility on to the military came when the BBC's Matt Frei interviewed President Bush in February.

The Guardian - Opinion

The intervening years have seen GP workloads rise as a result of the ageing population, having to manage more people with several long-term conditions such as diabetes or heart failure and the shifting of responsibility from hospitals on to family doctors.

The Guardian

The official logo has faded from view, and its demise seems symbolic, for it matches the government's shifting of responsibility for the campaign from the department of health to Public Health England, and its absorption into the broader Change4Life health campaign.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Amy Ellen Schwartz, director of the Institute for Education and Social Policy at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at New York University, said that the shifting of responsibility for supplies from schools to families reflected two competing ideals in public education: equity and parental involvement.

The New York Times

Beginning schoolteachers face a long list of taxing challenges, especially in North Carolina: isolation, low pay, expanding class sizes, lack of institutional support and resources, as well as a shifting of responsibility of social issues like poverty, bullying, and unemployment onto schools.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"This may have serious consequences for the international system of protection that relies on the sharing, not shifting of responsibilities".

The Guardian

No decisions have been made on further reductions, but American officers foresee a continued need for American combat forces and generally anticipate a more gradual shifting of responsibilities to Iraqi forces than many of the candidates — a reflection of caution they say is warranted by years of sobering experience.

The New York Times

These fourteen documents indicate the legal entanglements, ambiguous delays, political floundering, and shifting of responsibilities that occurred during the period from Jefferson Davis' first indictment for treason, on May 10 , 1866 through March 6 , 1868 when the trial, finally set for March 26 , 1868 was postponed again.

University of Chicago

Uganda has been hailed as a positive example in Africa because of its radical shifting of responsibilities to the local (district) level, including considerable human and financial resources.

Environmental Management

According to Coverdale et al, the most common degrading experiences for interns were 'threats, intimidation, humiliation, excessive criticism, covert innuendo, exclusion or denial of access to opportunity, undue additions to work requirements and shifting of responsibilities without appropriate notice'(ref. 5, p.269).

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational changes or policy reforms, use "shifting of responsibility" to clearly indicate the transfer of duties or accountability from one entity to another.

Common error

Avoid using "shifting of responsibility" when the intent is to describe someone dodging their duties. "Shifting of responsibility" implies a transfer to another party, whereas avoiding responsibility suggests neglecting the duty altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shifting of responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of transferring or reassigning duties or accountability, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shifting of responsibility" is a noun phrase used to describe the act of transferring or reassigning duties or accountability. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts and carries a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure that the intent is to describe a transfer, not simply an avoidance of duty. Consider alternatives like "transfer of accountability" or "delegation of duties" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transfer of accountability

Focuses on the transfer of accountability rather than the action of shifting.

transferring duties

A more direct and simple way of expressing the transfer of assigned tasks.

delegation of duties

Emphasizes the assignment of tasks to another party.

redistribution of tasks

Highlights the reassignment of tasks among different parties.

reallocation of responsibilities

Stresses the act of reassigning responsibilities in a more formal or organized manner.

passing the buck

An idiomatic expression implying avoidance of responsibility.

shedding of obligation

Emphasizes the act of getting rid of a duty or requirement.

reassignment of roles

Focuses on changing the assigned roles within a system or organization.

displacement of accountability

Suggests that accountability is being moved or misplaced.

outsourcing of functions

Highlights the act of contracting out certain functions or duties.

FAQs

How can I use "shifting of responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "shifting of responsibility" to describe a change in who is accountable for a task or duty. For example: "The new policy resulted in a "shifting of responsibility" from the central office to regional branches."

What phrases are similar to "shifting of responsibility"?

Similar phrases include "transfer of accountability", "delegation of duties", or "reallocation of responsibilities". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "shifting of responsibility" or "transfer of responsibility"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably, but "transfer of responsibility" may sound more formal in certain contexts. "Shifting" implies a more active movement of responsibility.

What is the connotation of "shifting of responsibility"?

The phrase "shifting of responsibility" carries a neutral connotation, simply describing the transfer of duties. However, the implications can be positive or negative depending on the context and the perceived fairness or effectiveness of the change.