take on liability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on liability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the assumption of responsibility for potential risks or obligations, often in legal or business contexts. Example: "Before signing the contract, make sure you understand the implications of taking on liability for any damages that may occur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 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

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

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

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

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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take on liability" in legal or business contexts, clearly define the scope and limits of the liability being assumed to avoid future disputes.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying the exact nature and extent of the "liability" being taken on. A general statement can lead to unexpected and broad interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on liability" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of assuming responsibility for a specific obligation or potential risk. Examples provided by Ludwig show this phrase used in contexts involving financial, legal, and environmental responsibilities. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take on liability" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies assuming responsibility for a specific obligation or potential risk. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is frequently employed in news, science, and formal business contexts, as demonstrated in the provided examples, making it appropriate for both neutral and professional settings. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define the scope of the "liability" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "assume responsibility" and "accept liability", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume responsibility

Focuses more on the general duty rather than the specific legal or financial burden.

accept liability

Highlights the acknowledgement and willingness to be held responsible.

shoulder the responsibility

Implies bearing the weight of the obligation.

incur the obligation

Stresses the process of becoming subject to a duty or debt.

bear the onus

Emphasizes the burden of proof or responsibility.

become accountable

Highlights the state of being answerable for actions or outcomes.

contract the debt

Specifically refers to assuming financial responsibility.

undertake the commitment

Stresses the voluntary acceptance of a binding obligation.

step up to the plate

Idiomatic expression indicating readiness to tackle a challenge or responsibility.

pick up the mantle

Suggests inheriting or succeeding to a position of responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "take on liability" to describe assuming responsibility for something, such as "The company decided to "take on liability" for the environmental damage caused by the project".

What is a formal alternative to "take on liability"?

A more formal alternative is "assume responsibility" which conveys a similar meaning of accepting accountability.

Is it better to say "take on liability" or "accept liability"?

Both ""take on liability"" and "accept liability" are correct, but "accept liability" might be perceived as slightly more formal, emphasizing acknowledgement and willingness to be responsible.

What does it mean to "take on liabilities" in a business context?

In business, to "take on liabilities" means assuming responsibility for debts, obligations, or potential risks associated with a transaction or operation.