take over responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take over responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone assuming or taking charge of a task or job that was previously handled or managed by someone else. For example, "When Steve retired, Elaine took over responsibility for managing the accounting department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We will begin to draw ourselves down as the Iraqis take over responsibility," he said.

The New York Times

With the progress of dementia, persons with dementia were satisfied with letting others take over responsibility for them.

BMC Health Services Research

BBC will take over responsibility for funding World Service.

The Guardian

An alternative scenario could see a senior civil servant take over responsibility for public finances.

The Guardian

The GMCA is to take over responsibility for business support and power to restructure further education.

The Guardian

I proposed that I should take over responsibility for all portfolios.

The Guardian - Opinion

She is to take over responsibility for serious crime and operations for the Met this week.

The Guardian

Mr. Tusk said that the national commercial airline, LOT, would take over responsibility for official flights from the military.

The New York Times

Mr. Bisignano will take over responsibility for the corporate and investment bank's electronic commerce efforts and Citigroup's transactions-services business.

The New York Times

Working with Mr. Gates during the transition, he will take over responsibility for the company's research and product development efforts.

The New York Times - Tech

The MP said the mutual organisation that would take over responsibility would have an annual budget of at least £140bn.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take over responsibility" when you want to clearly indicate a transition of duties from one party to another. Ensure the context specifies who is relinquishing and who is assuming the responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "take over responsibility" excessively in passive voice. For example, instead of "Responsibility was taken over by the committee", prefer "The committee took over responsibility" for a more direct and active tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take over responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of assuming control or management of a task, duty, or obligation. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts of military transitions, organizational restructuring, and individual role changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take over responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of assuming control or management of a task or duty previously handled by another. As indicated by Ludwig, it's often found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the transition and avoid overuse in passive constructions. Consider synonyms like "assume responsibility" or "take charge" for variety. Ludwig AI confirms the validity and offers numerous examples demonstrating its widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume responsibility

Focuses on the act of accepting the duty.

shoulder the responsibility

Implies bearing the weight of the duty.

take charge

Emphasizes leadership and control.

step into the role

Highlights transitioning into a new position of duty.

inherit the duty

Suggests receiving the duty from a predecessor.

become accountable

Focuses on being answerable for outcomes.

be placed in charge

Indicates formal appointment to a position of duty.

fill the position

Implies replacing someone in a role of duty.

undertake the obligation

Highlights formally accepting a duty or commitment.

embrace the responsibility

Conveys enthusiasm and willingness in accepting the duty.

FAQs

What does "take over responsibility" mean?

The phrase "take over responsibility" means to assume control or management of a task, duty, or obligation that was previously handled by someone else. It implies a transfer of accountability.

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

You can use "take over responsibility" in sentences like: "After the manager resigned, Sarah had to "step up" and take over responsibility for the project" or "The new CEO will "assume responsibility" for the company's strategic direction".

Are there synonyms for "take over responsibility"?

Yes, there are several synonyms for "take over responsibility", including "assume responsibility", "take charge", and "shoulder the responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "take over responsibility" and "delegate responsibility"?

"Take over responsibility" implies assuming a responsibility that was previously held by someone else. "Delegate responsibility", on the other hand, means assigning a task or duty to someone else while retaining overall accountability.