sole responsibility for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sole responsibility for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that one person or entity has exclusive accountability for a particular task or obligation. Example: "The contractor has sole responsibility for ensuring that the project is completed on time and within budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This means that the CSR module often bears the sole responsibility for the task of instilling a socially responsible mind-set in business students.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Kennedy assumed "sole responsibility" for the setback.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"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

Sarkozy, an instinctive blamer, took full and sole responsibility for the defeat.

The New Yorker

King stood trial alongside Kelly's assailant, who claimed sole responsibility for the murder.

Independent

Netanyahu said the Islamic organisation bore "sole responsibility for the continuation of the violence".

The Guardian

The president bears sole responsibility for ignoring Colin Powell's noble warnings.

The New York Times

"The authors and instigators of this crime bear sole responsibility for it," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole responsibility for", ensure clarity regarding the specific tasks or outcomes the person or entity is accountable for. Ambiguity can lead to disputes or inefficiencies.

Common error

Avoid using "sole responsibility for" when other parties also have contributing roles or shared duties. If the responsibility is genuinely shared, use phrases like "joint responsibility" or "shared accountability" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole responsibility for" functions as a noun phrase that designates a specific individual, group or entity as being uniquely accountable for a particular task, duty, or outcome. Ludwig AI examples show it's used to assign liability, authority, or decision-making power.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole responsibility for" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that one party is exclusively accountable for a specific task or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While alternatives like "exclusive responsibility for" and "complete ownership of" exist, "sole responsibility for" remains a direct and effective way to assign clear accountability, primarily in professional and neutral registers. Remember to ensure that the responsibility is truly exclusive and that the tasks involved are clearly defined to avoid any confusion or overlapping duties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exclusive accountability for

Replaces "sole responsibility" with "exclusive accountability", emphasizing the lack of shared duty.

bears full accountability

Focuses on the act of accepting complete responsibility.

chief obligation for

Highlights the mandatory nature of the responsibility.

complete ownership of

Shifts from responsibility to ownership, suggesting total control and accountability.

primary duty to

Similar to "chief obligation" but focuses on the moral or ethical aspect of the responsibility.

entire burden of

Emphasizes the weight or difficulty associated with the responsibility.

takes on the onus of

Implies accepting a challenging or unpleasant responsibility.

ultimate liability for

Focuses on the legal or financial accountability.

is solely liable for

Legal context, highlighting the exclusive legal responsibility.

carries the can for

Informal expression indicating taking the blame or responsibility, often for something negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "sole responsibility for" to clearly state that a person or entity is entirely accountable for something. For example, "The project manager has "sole responsibility for" the project's success".

What's a more formal alternative to "sole responsibility for"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "exclusive accountability for" or "complete ownership of".

Is it grammatically correct to say "solely responsible for" instead of "sole responsibility for"?

Yes, "solely responsible for" is grammatically correct. "Sole responsibility for" is a noun phrase, while "solely responsible for" uses an adverb to modify the adjective "responsible".

When should I avoid using "sole responsibility for"?

Avoid using "sole responsibility for" when the responsibility is shared or when other parties contribute to the outcome. In such cases, consider using "joint responsibility" or "shared accountability".