singly responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "singly responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is solely accountable for a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The manager was singly responsible for the project's success, as she led the team and made all the key decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He marked the death of Coleman Young — Detroit's first black mayor and a former nemesis — by calling him singly responsible for the city's demise.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For tenants sharing a property with friends, it can help to agree beforehand to be jointly responsible for the rent, instead of singly responsible which may put some landlords off.

Independent

However, Kang et al. reported that the singly ionized oxygen vacancy is responsible for the green emission and not the ionized Zn interstitials [36].

Nanoscale Research Letters

At present, it is not clear which plant constituents, singly or in synergy, are responsible for the observed anti-MV activity.

Archives of Virology

responsible for the disturbances.

The New York Times

Who is responsible for identity?

The New Yorker

They're responsible for it.

The New York Times - Sports

We are responsible for that.

Independent

You are responsible for yourselves".

Independent

I'm responsible for you?

The New York Times

Who is responsible for those?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "singly responsible for" to clearly and unambiguously assign accountability to a specific entity or individual, especially when it's crucial to avoid any shared or diluted responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "singly responsible for" when the outcome was clearly influenced by multiple factors or actors. Overstating individual responsibility can lead to unfair blame or a misunderstanding of the situation's complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "singly responsible for" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the noun/pronoun is the only one bearing the responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes exclusive accountability. See the available examples for more context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "singly responsible for" is a grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize that one entity bears sole accountability. Ludwig AI confirms this. While its usage is relatively rare, its meaning is clear and can be valuable in contexts where unambiguous assignment of responsibility is crucial. Alternatives like "solely responsible for" offer similar meanings. Understanding its proper usage and avoiding overstatement are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely responsible for

Emphasizes exclusive accountability, similar to the original phrase.

exclusively responsible for

Highlights that the responsibility belongs to no one else.

entirely responsible for

Indicates that the responsibility is complete and absolute.

alone responsible for

Focuses on the lack of shared responsibility.

personally responsible for

Highlights the individual's accountability.

directly responsible for

Implies a clear and immediate link to the outcome.

individually accountable for

Stresses the separate and distinct responsibility.

uniquely responsible for

Highlights the singularity of the responsibility.

chiefly responsible for

Indicates primary, but not necessarily exclusive, responsibility.

primarily responsible for

Suggests that the person or thing had the greatest impact, although not necessarily the only impact.

FAQs

What does "singly responsible for" mean?

The phrase "singly responsible for" means that one person or entity is exclusively accountable for something, with no shared or divided responsibility. Consider using "solely responsible for" as a close synonym.

How can I use "singly responsible for" in a sentence?

You can use "singly responsible for" to emphasize that one specific person or thing bears the entire burden of responsibility for a particular outcome. For instance, "The CEO was singly responsible for the company's turnaround".

Is there a difference between "singly responsible for" and "jointly responsible for"?

Yes, "singly responsible for" indicates individual accountability, while "jointly responsible for" means that two or more parties share the responsibility. Choosing between them depends on whether the accountability is individual or shared.

What are some alternatives to saying "singly responsible for"?

Alternatives include "solely responsible for", "exclusively responsible for", or "entirely responsible for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.