shoulder responsibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

'shoulder responsibilities' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase we use to suggest that someone is taking on or accepting a position of responsibility. For example: "As the oldest child in the family, Sarah shouldered the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He is so unwilling to shoulder responsibilities that he has barely spoken since the election, reverting to an old habit of slinking into the shadows after a loss.

The Economist

Traumatized by their father's death and furious at having to shoulder responsibilities they would not normally have to handle, Maya and Yair are less than ideal candidates for surrogate parents, but they have no choice.

The New York Times

William Hague has has sparked renewed speculation about his commitment to his job as foreign secretary with a convoluted explanation about having to shoulder responsibilities for an "extended period of time" during the historic events in the Arab world.

The Guardian

This is how an upper-level warlord plays the new political game in Afghanistan: by forcing international aid agencies to shoulder responsibilities that are actually his own and then making sure he gets the political credit.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, the priest in Sugandha's village said, "We have not received any guidelines or any rules [on the Child Marriage Act], but I can tell you that marriage should be when the girl is 18 or over, when she is ready to understand and mature enough to shoulder responsibilities.

The Guardian

"Our parent company Centrica does more than any other organisation to secure gas and power for British customers, with commitments totalling more than £60bn, and we can only shoulder responsibilities on this scale if we are a profitable business".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It wanted everyone to shoulder responsibility for decisions.

The New York Times

Addressing the justice gap requires all segments of society, not lawyers alone, to shoulder responsibility.

The New York Times

With Democrats controlling the White House and Congress, they shoulder responsibility for the country's troubles.

The New York Times

The political leadership should shoulder responsibility for any such postings, he said.

The Guardian

But the Europeans remain military lightweights and unwilling to shoulder responsibility.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context; while "shoulder responsibilities" is generally positive, ensure it aligns with the specific nature of the responsibilities being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder responsibilities" in very casual or informal situations. Simpler phrases like "take care of" or "handle" may be more appropriate for everyday tasks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder responsibilities" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of accepting and carrying out duties or obligations. It suggests a proactive and often significant undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

11%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shoulder responsibilities" is a verb phrase used to describe accepting and managing duties or obligations. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and usable in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to formal register. Alternatives include "take on responsibilities" and "assume responsibilities". While generally positive, it's important to consider the context to ensure it aligns with the nature of the responsibilities being discussed. It is suitable for professional contexts but may be less appropriate for very casual situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on responsibilities

Emphasizes the act of accepting duties or tasks.

assume responsibilities

Highlights the acceptance of duties, often suggesting a formal or official acceptance.

bear the burden of responsibility

Focuses on the challenging or onerous aspect of having responsibilities.

accept the mantle of responsibility

Suggests inheriting or being entrusted with a significant duty or role.

take charge of duties

Focuses on actively managing and leading assigned tasks.

embrace obligations

Implies a willing and enthusiastic acceptance of required duties.

undertake commitments

Highlights formally agreeing to and starting to perform specific tasks or duties.

manage obligations

Focuses on overseeing and handling required duties effectively.

discharge duties

Focuses on executing and completing assigned duties.

own responsibilities

Emphasizes personal accountability and control over assigned duties.

FAQs

How can I use "shoulder responsibilities" in a sentence?

You can use "shoulder responsibilities" to indicate that someone is taking on duties or obligations, as in, "The new manager will "shoulder responsibilities" for the team's performance."

What are some alternatives to "shoulder responsibilities"?

Alternatives include "take on responsibilities", "assume responsibilities", or "bear the burden of responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "shoulder responsibility" or "shoulder responsibilities"?

Both are correct, but "shoulder responsibility" generally refers to taking on a single, overall duty, while "shoulder responsibilities" implies handling multiple tasks or obligations.

What does it mean to "shoulder responsibilities"?

To "shoulder responsibilities" means to accept and manage tasks, duties, or obligations, often significant or demanding ones.