shirk their responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'shirk their responsibility' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which someone avoids taking on something that they are supposed to do. Example: I think some of my colleagues are beginning to shirk their responsibility by not participating in group activities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But that would simply enable lawmakers who want to shirk their responsibility.

The New York Times

They must not be allowed to shirk their responsibility in allowing any hatred to spread.

The Guardian - Opinion

It claimed that the insurers had been trying to "shirk their responsibility" to compensate the workers.

The Guardian - Money

Most cancer patients don't want to shirk their responsibility; they are eager to return to work and renew their commitment.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is what happens when mainstream parties shirk their responsibility to hold a serious and necessary debate: fanatics take it over.

The Economist

People who forget to pay, or shirk their responsibility, will have to pay increasing penalties, up to £80, depending on how long they wait.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

They will not shirk their responsibilities.

The Guardian

In this environment, everyone can shirk their responsibilities.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They don't want to shirk their responsibilities".

The New York Times

Offspring who shirk their responsibilities are met with scorn — and sometimes legal judgments.

The New York Times

The Osborne case makes clear that social media firms cannot shirk their responsibilities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about organizations or groups, ensure that the pronoun "their" agrees with the plural subject to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Companies should not "shirk their responsibility" to protect consumer data."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "shirking their responsibility" always implies malicious intent. Sometimes, it can result from a lack of resources, understanding, or capability. Consider the context to determine the underlying cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shirk their responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. It describes an action of avoiding or neglecting duties. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shirk their responsibility" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of avoiding or neglecting one's duties. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. Its use spans across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, but also in scientific and formal settings. Related phrases include "evade their responsibility" and "avoid their responsibility", each carrying slightly different nuances. The phrase carries a negative connotation, suggesting a failure to meet obligations, and its proper use involves ensuring pronoun agreement and understanding the potential causes behind the act of shirking responsibility. While the phrase is used very frequently in News and Media sources, its use is uncommon in Academic or Encyclopedic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shirk their obligations

Uses the word "obligations" as a synonym for "responsibility".

shirk their duties

Uses the word "duties" as a synonym for "responsibility".

evade their responsibility

Emphasizes avoiding responsibility, often through cunning or trickery.

skirt their responsibility

Suggests avoiding direct engagement or confrontation with the responsibility.

ignore their responsibility

Focuses on the act of disregarding or overlooking the responsibility.

avoid their responsibility

Highlights the act of keeping away from the responsibility.

relinquish their responsibility

Implies a formal or deliberate giving up of responsibility.

escape their responsibility

Suggests actively fleeing or finding a way out of the responsibility.

duck their responsibility

Informal way to describe quickly avoiding the responsibility.

sidestep their responsibility

Suggests cleverly avoiding the responsibility.

FAQs

What does it mean to "shirk their responsibility"?

To "shirk their responsibility" means to avoid or neglect a duty or obligation that one is expected to fulfill. It implies a deliberate attempt to evade accountability.

How can I use "shirk their responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "shirk their responsibility" to describe situations where individuals or groups fail to take ownership of their duties. For example: "The government cannot "ignore their responsibility" to provide adequate healthcare."

What are some alternatives to saying "shirk their responsibility"?

Alternatives include "evade their responsibility", "avoid their responsibility", or "neglect their duties" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to say someone is "shirking their responsibility"?

Yes, the phrase typically carries a negative connotation, suggesting that someone is failing to meet their obligations and is therefore subject to criticism.