sole responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"sole responsibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the situation when someone is the only one responsible for something. For example, "The sole responsibility for the project lies with Anna."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kennedy assumed "sole responsibility" for the setback.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kuehl's sole responsibility was snapping.

The New York Times - Sports

Woodward most take sole responsibility".

The Guardian - Sport

No one's sole responsibility is the Mac.

The New York Times - Tech

My sole responsibility is to get players here.

The New York Times - Sports

To be fair, Mr Nath did not bear sole responsibility.

The Economist

"We don't claim sole responsibility for that," Mr. Luisi said.

The New York Times

Mr. Lewis gained sole responsibility for the job in May.

The New York Times

Principals keep sole responsibility for evaluation, without help from coaches.

The New York Times

Gregory took over the lease and sole responsibility for Eric.

The New York Times

Microsoft has a team of a dozen people whose sole responsibility is to handle technology transfer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning or accepting "sole responsibility", clearly define the scope and expectations to avoid ambiguity. This ensures everyone understands exactly what is entailed.

Common error

Avoid assuming "sole responsibility" when the task inherently requires collaboration. Clearly identify supporting roles and dependencies to prevent bottlenecks and ensure shared success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole responsibility" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies who or what bears the exclusive accountability for a specific task, duty, or outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sole responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that one person or entity is entirely accountable for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to science and formal business settings. While alternative phrases like "exclusive accountability" or "ultimate liability" may be used to convey similar meanings, "sole responsibility" clearly emphasizes the singular nature of the accountability. When using the phrase, it's crucial to define the scope of the responsibility clearly and to avoid assigning it in situations that inherently require collaboration. The high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources underscore the importance of understanding and using this phrase correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive accountability

Focuses on the exclusivity of the accountability, highlighting that no one else shares the burden.

full accountability

Highlights that accountability is not partial or shared but complete.

individual accountability

Emphasizes the individual nature of the accountability.

ultimate liability

Emphasizes the final and definitive nature of the responsibility or obligation.

complete onus

Highlights the entire burden or duty falling on a single entity.

singular liability

Emphasizes that the liability is unique and applies to only one party.

distinct responsibility

Highlights that the responsibility is clearly defined and separate from others.

primary obligation

Stresses that the obligation is the most important one for the individual or entity.

chief duty

Suggests the duty is the most important or principal one.

personal liability

Focuses on the individual bearing the responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole responsibility" to indicate that one person or entity is entirely accountable for a task or outcome. For example, "The CEO has the "sole responsibility" for the company's performance."

What are some alternatives to "sole responsibility"?

Alternatives to "sole responsibility" include "exclusive accountability", "ultimate liability", or "complete onus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'soul responsibility' instead of "sole responsibility"?

No, the correct term is "sole responsibility". 'Soul' refers to the spiritual part of a person, while 'sole' means single or only.

What's the difference between "sole responsibility" and shared responsibility?

"Sole responsibility" indicates that one party is entirely accountable, whereas shared responsibility implies that multiple parties contribute to and are accountable for the outcome.