shirking responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

'shirking responsibility' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who avoids or neglects their responsibilities. For example: John's consistent refusal to complete tasks showed that he was shirking responsibility.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

She was not shirking responsibility.

The New York Times

Instead the GOP accuses President Obama of shirking responsibility.

The Guardian

Yet there is a culture of shirking responsibility.

The Guardian

Frenkiel feels that this is shirking responsibility away from the corporation itself.

The Guardian

"Instead of shirking responsibility, she was cooking dinner and cleaning up.

The New York Times

But when it comes to righting their own record, they are apparently shirking responsibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Who doesn't dream of shirking responsibilities and being indulged?

Huffington Post

But he cannot shirk responsibility.

The Economist

Yet foreign governments have shirked responsibility.

The Guardian

"It's impermissible for them to want to shirk responsibility.

The New York Times

There are always those who mistake freedom for license and shirk responsibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shirking responsibility" to clearly convey the idea that someone is actively avoiding their duties, rather than simply being incompetent or unable to fulfill them.

Common error

Avoid using "shirking responsibility" when someone genuinely forgets or makes an unintentional mistake. The phrase implies a deliberate act of avoidance, not an accidental oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shirking responsibility" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It typically describes the act of avoiding or neglecting one's duties or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, evidenced by numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shirking responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of avoiding or neglecting one's duties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, it carries a negative connotation, implying disapproval of the behavior. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a deliberate act of avoidance, rather than a simple mistake or oversight. Consider alternatives like "evading accountability" or "neglecting obligations" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglecting obligations

Highlights the failure to properly care for or attend to responsibilities.

dodging one's duties

Emphasizes the avoidance of specific tasks or duties.

evading accountability

Focuses more on avoiding being held accountable for something rather than just avoiding the task itself.

sidestepping accountability

Similar to evading accountability, but suggests a more subtle avoidance.

ducking the burden

Focuses on avoiding the difficult or unpleasant aspects of responsibility.

passing the buck

Refers to transferring responsibility to someone else, often to avoid blame.

reneging on duties

Implies a deliberate breaking of a promise or agreement to fulfill responsibilities.

circumventing duties

Implies finding a way to avoid duties, possibly through clever or deceptive means.

failing to deliver

Highlights the lack of achieving expected results due to neglecting responsibility.

avoiding commitment

Broader term indicating a general reluctance to commit to any responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "shirking responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "shirking responsibility" to describe someone who is avoiding or neglecting their duties. For example: "The manager accused the employee of "shirking responsibility" by not completing his assigned tasks."

What can I say instead of "shirking responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "evading accountability", "neglecting obligations", or "passing the buck depending on the context".

Is it better to say "shirking responsibility" or "avoiding responsibility"?

Both ""shirking responsibility"" and "avoiding responsibility" are correct, but ""shirking responsibility"" implies a more active and deliberate neglect of duty.

What's the difference between "shirking responsibility" and "delegating responsibility"?

"Shirking responsibility" means avoiding or neglecting one's duties, while "delegating responsibility" means assigning tasks to others. Delegating can be a positive action when done appropriately, whereas shirking is always negative.