substantively responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantively responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that someone has a significant or meaningful level of responsibility in a particular matter or situation. Example: "The committee found that the manager was substantively responsible for the project's failure due to lack of oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This particular principle, however, will differ in terms of what is covered from the opportunity-based account described earlier for it more explicitly leaves room to exclude coverage for conditions for which an individual is substantively responsible.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And choosing a high-profile consumer advocate to lead the agency providing that protection — someone whose scholarship and advocacy were largely responsible for the agency's creation — is the natural move, both substantively and politically.

The New York Times

It was substantively different.

Cornell University

And substantively at times".

The Guardian

"Substantively, the bill is abysmal.

The New Yorker

This makes little sense, substantively.

The New York Times

Ideologically and substantively, it is centrist.

The New Yorker

It does – descriptively, substantively and symbolically.

The Guardian

He attached conditions that changed it substantively.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, substantively Okrent makes many points.

The New York Times - Books

Substantively, it leaves much work undone.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantively responsible" to clearly indicate that someone's responsibility is significant and goes beyond a superficial level. It implies a meaningful connection between the person and the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "substantively responsible" when the individual's role is minor or indirect. Opt for phrases like "partially involved" or "nominally responsible" if the degree of responsibility is limited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantively responsible" functions as a descriptor, indicating a significant degree of accountability. It clarifies that someone is not just nominally responsible, but bears a meaningful burden of responsibility for outcomes. Ludwig confirms that this is correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantively responsible" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a significant level of accountability. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase is correctly used to emphasize the depth and importance of one's responsibility, distinguishing it from merely nominal involvement. While not very frequent, its use is consistent across various contexts, particularly in academic, scientific, and news reporting. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the meaningful connection between the individual and the outcome, and consider alternatives such as "significantly accountable" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly accountable

Emphasizes the degree of accountability more explicitly.

essentially liable

Highlights the fundamental nature of the liability.

largely answerable

Focuses on the extent to which someone must answer for something.

principally to blame

Directly assigns the primary fault or blame.

mainly responsible

A more common and straightforward way to indicate primary responsibility.

chiefly accountable

Similar to 'mainly responsible' but with a slightly more formal tone.

primarily liable

Focuses on the legal or formal aspect of being responsible.

considerably responsible

Highlights the substantial amount of responsibility held.

substantially culpable

Focuses more on the blameworthiness aspect of the responsibility.

materially involved

Highlights the significance of the person's involvement, implying responsibility.

FAQs

What does "substantively responsible" mean?

The term "substantively responsible" means that someone bears a significant or meaningful level of responsibility for something. It suggests a deeper and more impactful level of accountability than simply being indirectly involved.

When should I use the phrase "substantively responsible"?

Use "substantively responsible" when you want to emphasize that someone's responsibility is considerable and directly connected to the outcome. It's appropriate when superficial involvement is not enough.

What are some alternatives to "substantively responsible"?

Alternatives include "significantly accountable", "essentially liable", or "largely answerable" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "substantively responsible"?

Yes, "substantively responsible" is grammatically correct. The adverb "substantively" modifies the adjective "responsible" to emphasize the significant nature of the responsibility.