take on liabilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on liabilities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the assumption of financial obligations or responsibilities, often in a business or legal context. Example: "The company decided to take on liabilities in order to expand its operations and invest in new projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mooted new accounting rules may increase the size of pension liabilities on firms' balance sheets, and other proposals could exacerbate the effect of swings in the value of stocks and bonds.The third main reason for the explosion in pension buy-outs is a sharp fall in the fee that insurers are charging to take on liabilities.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"If you get too heavily involved in these operations, then you take on liability, and nobody wants to do that," Mr. Goldwasser said.

The New York Times

Insurers engage in risk pooling when they take on liability for the cost of any necessary healthcare for many people, only some of whom will in fact be struck by health shocks in a given year.

Latin American Economic Review

But Ireland's taxpayers have taken on liabilities equivalent to 40 percent of G.D.P., a burden that will weigh on the economy for a generation unless the E.U. authorities provide some relief.

The New York Times

Sir Philip Green was pushed to pay into BHS's pension after the industry regulator found the "main purpose" in selling the department store was to prevent taking on liability for the scheme.

The Guardian - Business

All merchants would be required to upgrade their payments terminals to support EMV, or take on liability for fraudulent transactions.

TechCrunch

This allowed JPMorgan to avoid taking on liabilities it would prefer not to assume (think mortgage-backed securities).

The New York Times

Most available companies, he said, were not in good shape, and potential buyers worry about taking on liabilities, like those for old asbestos claims, that could easily balloon.

The New York Times

Under a passport system covering the European Economic Area (a broader, watered-down version of the European Union), investors were supposedly covered by the Icelandic deposit-insurance scheme.The problem was that the banks took on liabilities that far outgrew Iceland's GDP.

The Economist

Insurers are taking on liability for ever more cyber risk; a 2015 report revealed that cyber insurance gross written premiums now stand at over $2 billion[11].

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

Like leaders in Kirkland, officials in Austin say that with Google taking on liability for the cars, there was no reason not to bring them into town, and they could mean new access to transportation for seniors, the disabled and others who don't have it now.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take on liabilities" in business writing, clearly specify the nature and scope of the liabilities being assumed. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures all parties understand the potential risks and obligations.

Common error

Avoid using "take on liabilities" without specifying what those liabilities entail. Vague references can lead to misunderstandings. Instead of saying 'The company will take on liabilities', specify 'The company will take on liabilities related to the new merger agreement'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on liabilities" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of assuming responsibility for debts, obligations, or potential risks. It highlights the acceptance of burdens or commitments, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "take on liabilities" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes the act of assuming responsibility for debts, obligations, or risks. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for professional, academic, and general communication. When writing, it's important to clearly specify the nature and scope of the liabilities to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "assume responsibilities" or "incur obligations" can be used depending on the context. The phrase is particularly common in news and business contexts, making it a valuable term for discussing financial and legal matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume responsibilities

Focuses on the general act of accepting duties or tasks.

incur obligations

Emphasizes the formal or legal aspect of acquiring duties.

shoulder responsibilities

Implies a willingness to carry the weight of the duties involved.

undertake obligations

Similar to "incur obligations", but may imply a more proactive approach.

accept burdens

Highlights the potentially negative or difficult aspects of what is being taken on.

bear the onus

Focuses on the responsibility for proving something or dealing with a problem.

embrace commitments

Suggests a more willing and positive acceptance of duties.

own the consequences

Emphasizes accountability for the results of actions.

acquire debts

Specifically refers to assuming financial obligations.

step up to the plate

An idiomatic expression meaning to take responsibility and act.

FAQs

How can I use "take on liabilities" in a sentence?

You can use "take on liabilities" to describe assuming responsibility for debts, obligations, or risks, as in: "The company decided to "take on liabilities" to expand its operations".

What is the difference between "take on liabilities" and "assume liabilities"?

While similar, "assume liabilities" is often used in more formal or legal contexts, whereas "take on liabilities" can be slightly more general. Both refer to accepting responsibility for obligations.

What are some alternatives to "take on liabilities" in business writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "incur obligations", "assume responsibilities", or "shoulder responsibilities".

Is it grammatically correct to say "taking on liabilities"?

Yes, "taking on liabilities" is grammatically correct and represents the gerund or present participle form of the verb phrase. It can be used in continuous tenses or as a noun.