take on responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take on responsibility" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is willing to assume a task or responsibility. For example: "Susan decided to take on the responsibility of leading the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet they take on responsibility for the most difficult and complex of tasks - the management of individual needs, each profound enough to attract additional support and funding.

The Guardian

But the poll, reflecting findings in earlier surveys, also shows people want the government to sort out the problem rather than take on responsibility themselves.

The Guardian

Our discussion focuses on the ways healthcare professionals and parents share expertise around the child's condition as parents take on responsibility for home-based clinical care.

BMC Health Services Research

For example, one GP agreed to take on responsibility for the entire group of asylum seekers.

BMC Family Practice

Managers working for primary care trusts (PCTs) are currently responsible for planning and buying local services, but GPs will take on responsibility for this from 2013.

BBC

From day one, as part of the graduate intake, I've been empowered to take on responsibility for my own career development and everything this entails.

The Guardian

He and his wife take on responsibility.

The New York Times - Sports

You do have to take on responsibility.

The Guardian

"Europe must acto together and take on responsibility.

Independent

"Europe must act together and take on responsibility.

The Guardian

"I will take on responsibility for this country".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take on responsibility" when you want to emphasize the proactive nature of accepting a task or duty. It suggests a willingness to be in charge and be accountable.

Common error

Avoid using "take on responsibility" without specifying the exact nature of the duties. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretations. Instead, provide context: "take on responsibility for managing the project budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take on responsibility" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of accepting or assuming a duty or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and appropriate for use in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take on responsibility" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey the act of accepting a duty or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for English writing across various registers, from news articles to scientific publications. Its communicative purpose centers around accepting accountability and ownership, highlighting a willingness to be in charge. Common contexts include news and media, scientific research, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, specify the scope of responsibility for clarity. Alternatives such as "assume responsibility" or "shoulder responsibility" offer subtle nuances for different communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume responsibility

Emphasizes the act of accepting or taking over responsibility.

shoulder responsibility

Implies bearing the weight or burden of responsibility.

accept accountability

Focuses on being answerable for one's actions and decisions.

embrace responsibility

Suggests willingly and enthusiastically taking on responsibility.

become accountable

Highlights the state of being responsible and answerable.

bear the burden

Highlights the challenges associated with responsibility.

undertake the duty

Emphasizes the formal assumption of a specific duty or task.

step up to the plate

An idiom that means to take action and responsibility when needed.

take charge

Focuses on assuming control and leadership.

own the outcome

Highlights the acceptance of consequences, whether positive or negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "take on responsibility" to indicate someone is accepting a duty or task. For example, "She decided to "take on responsibility" for organizing the event."

What are some alternatives to "take on responsibility"?

Alternatives include "assume responsibility", "shoulder responsibility", or "accept accountability", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "take on responsibility" or "assume responsibility"?

Both phrases are correct, but "assume responsibility" often suggests a formal acceptance, while "take on responsibility" can imply a more proactive or willing acceptance. The best choice depends on the context.

What does it mean to "take on responsibility"?

To "take on responsibility" means to accept and commit to handling a task, duty, or obligation, with the understanding that you will be held accountable for the outcome.