start responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start responsibility" is not correct and usable in written English. It lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. An example could be: "It's time to start responsibility for your actions." Alternative expressions could be "take on responsibility" or "begin to take responsibility."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was originally commissioned by the Metropolitan Board of Works but, just before the contract was due to start, responsibility passed to the London County Council (LCC) when the former body was abolished in 1889 and Bazalgette's work on the tunnel ended.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

According to the International Biathlon Union technical delegate Norbert Baier, the primary officials responsible for the gaffe were relieved of their starting responsibilities for the men's 12.5-kilometer, or 7.76-mile, race that followed.

The New York Times - Sports

He has shared starting responsibilities in his junior and senior seasons.

Wikipedia

I'm taking responsibility and they need to start taking responsibility as players.

Independent

Canada's experience with biathlon does not run deep, and Baier indicated that part of the explanation for the errors could have been that local officials attempted to delegate some of the start responsibilities to I.B.U. officials on the eve of the pursuits.

The New York Times - Sports

Playing off of Mr. Bush's frequent calls for a "responsibility era" in which he urges people to take responsibility for their actions, Mr. Daley said, "It is time for Governor Bush to stop hurling charges, and start accepting responsibility.

The New York Times

Guys have to start taking responsibility".

The Guardian - Sport

We need to stop scapegoating and start taking responsibility.

Independent

"Barnaby Joyce needs to start taking responsibility for his failings".

The Guardian

Get a job and start taking responsibility for your own actions.

The Guardian

In place of lists he wants single-member constituencies, which he calls the "start of responsibility in politics".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you are referring to the initial tasks of a job, use the plural noun form "starting responsibilities" instead.

Common error

Writers often try to shorten sentences by placing the verb "start" directly before the noun "responsibility". However, in English, "start" typically requires an object or a gerund when referring to an ongoing state of accountability. Writing "He needs to start responsibility" is incorrect; use "He needs to "start taking responsibility"" instead.

Linguistic Context

In the rare instances where "start responsibility" appears in the Ludwig database, it is often a result of two separate clauses meeting or a typo for "starting responsibility". Grammatically, it functions as a verb phrase fragment that lacks the necessary verbal bridge (a gerund or infinitive) to link the action of starting to the abstract noun of responsibility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start responsibility" is essentially a linguistic shortcut that results in a grammatical error. Analysis of high-quality sources in Ludwig shows that professional writers almost exclusively use "start taking responsibility" or "starting responsibilities" to convey this idea. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase as a standalone unit lacks clarity. To ensure your writing is both professional and clear, always use a bridge verb like "taking", "assuming", or "accepting". This simple addition transforms a clunky fragment into a powerful expression of accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start taking responsibility

Adds the necessary gerund to show the action of assuming accountability.

take on responsibility

A common phrasal verb used to describe beginning a new duty.

assume responsibility

A more formal alternative frequently used in legal or professional contexts.

accept responsibility

Focuses on the willingness to be accountable for actions or outcomes.

begin to take responsibility

Emphasizes the start of a gradual process of becoming responsible.

shoulder responsibility

Uses a more descriptive verb to imply taking on a significant burden.

starting responsibilities

Uses the noun form to refer to the specific tasks assigned at the beginning.

exercise responsibility

Refers to the act of performing duties already held.

commence duties

A highly formal business alternative.

bear responsibility

Focuses on the state of being responsible rather than the start of it.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "start responsibility"?

No, the phrase "start responsibility" is generally considered grammatically incomplete. According to Ludwig AI, it is much more common and correct to say ""start taking responsibility"" or ""assume responsibility"".

What can I say instead of "start responsibility"?

You can use more natural expressions like "take on responsibility", ""accept responsibility"", or the more formal ""assume responsibility"".

How do I use "start responsibility" in a sentence correctly?

To use it correctly, you should add a connecting word. For example: "The new manager will "start taking responsibility" for the project next week."

What is the difference between "start responsibility" and "take responsibility"?

While "start responsibility" is a clunky fragment, "take responsibility" is a standard idiom. The latter is used to describe the act of claiming ownership over a situation or task.