shoulder some responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shoulder some responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of accepting or taking on a portion of responsibility for a situation or outcome. Example: "In a team project, it's important for each member to shoulder some responsibility to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Kurdish fighters surely shoulder some responsibility.

The Guardian

Most working people in the United States shoulder some responsibility for the care of a dependent.

The New York Times

The west, particularly the US, must shoulder some responsibility for the renewed conflict between Turkey and the PKK.

The Guardian - Opinion

Republicans charged that they had been shut out of negotiations, and Democrats insisted that the Republicans shoulder some responsibility for averting a shutdown.

The New York Times

"China should shoulder some responsibility for the United States and the United States should share power with China," Dr. Jin said.

The New York Times

Navy ships from two countries have scoured South-east Asian waters for boats believed to be carrying thousands of migrants with little food or water, and a top US diplomat said Burma needs to shoulder some responsibility for the crisis.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

These countries have as much interest in a stable Iraq as we do, and the moment Iran shoulders some responsibility for southern Iraq it will also risk instability in its despotic regime at home.

The New York Times

The result could be a new round of regional suspicion and rivalry or worse.Alternatively China could shoulder some real responsibility for security in East Asia and close ranks against Mr Kim.

The Economist

The receiving states, educators say, also shoulder some of the responsibility.

The New York Times

Professional sports must now shoulder some of the responsibility for the lack of civility, morals and values in our country.

The New York Times - Sports

Congress should shoulder some of the responsibility for having loaded this weight onto the agency's shoulders in the first place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shoulder some responsibility" when you want to convey that an individual or group is taking on a portion of the accountability or duties related to a particular situation or outcome. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the responsibility entails.

Common error

Avoid using "shoulder some responsibility" when the individual or group has no actual involvement or ability to influence the situation. Ensure they have the capacity and authority to take on the responsibility being assigned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shoulder some responsibility" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of accepting a portion of accountability or duty. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and provides examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shoulder some responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the acceptance or allocation of a portion of duties or blame. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, showcasing its usage across news, business, and academic contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the subject has the capacity and authority to undertake the assigned responsibility, avoiding misattribution. Alternatives like "take on some responsibility" or "bear some responsibility" offer nuanced options depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on some responsibility

Emphasizes actively assuming responsibility, rather than just bearing it.

bear some responsibility

Focuses on enduring the weight of responsibility, highlighting the burden aspect.

assume some accountability

Highlights the obligation to answer for actions and outcomes, adding a layer of formal acknowledgment.

accept partial responsibility

Explicitly states a limited degree of acceptance, suitable when acknowledging only a portion of the overall responsibility.

own part of the responsibility

Stresses personal acknowledgment and acceptance of a specific portion of the responsibility.

share the blame

Specifically addresses the allocation of fault or culpability among multiple parties.

be partly responsible

Indicates a causal role in a situation, without necessarily implying active assumption of duties.

contribute to the responsibility

Highlights the act of adding to or sharing in an existing responsibility.

play a role in the responsibility

Implies involvement in a task or duty, sharing in the overall accountability.

shoulder a portion of the burden

Focuses on sharing the difficulty or hardship associated with a responsibility.

FAQs

What does "shoulder some responsibility" mean?

The phrase "shoulder some responsibility" means to accept or take on a portion of the duties, obligations, or blame for something. It implies sharing the burden or accountability with others.

What can I say instead of "shoulder some responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "take on some responsibility", "bear some responsibility", or "assume some accountability" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "shoulder some responsibility" or "take full responsibility"?

The choice depends on the context. "Shoulder some responsibility" implies sharing responsibility, while "take full responsibility" means accepting all accountability. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

How do you use "shoulder some responsibility" in a sentence?

Example: "In a team project, it's important for each member to "shoulder some responsibility" to ensure its success."