take responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"take responsibility" is a valid phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to when referring to someone assuming control for a particular situation or event. For example: "John decided to take responsibility for organizing the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Someone must take responsibility".

The New Yorker

We will take responsibility.

The New York Times

"Take responsibility for yourself".

The New York Times

"I take responsibility".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm can't take responsibility".

The New Yorker

And who will take responsibility?

The New Yorker

We take responsibility for that".

The New York Times

Republicans need to take responsibility.

The New York Times

Players must also take responsibility.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have to take responsibility".

The New York Times - Sports

But they must take responsibility.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take responsibility" when you want to emphasize the act of acknowledging and accepting the duties and consequences associated with a role, decision, or action.

Common error

Don't just say you "take responsibility" without specifying what you're taking responsibility for. Be clear about the specific actions, decisions, or outcomes you're accountable for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take responsibility" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of acknowledging and accepting accountability for one's actions, decisions, or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take responsibility" is a very common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate the acceptance of accountability for actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Related phrases such as "assume accountability" or "shoulder the blame" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using "take responsibility", it is important to be specific about what you are taking responsibility for to avoid vagueness. The phrase carries a neutral tone and is widely understood across different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the responsibility

Highlights the weight or burden associated with responsibility.

assume accountability

Focuses more on being answerable and justifying actions.

take ownership

Suggests a sense of control and pride in one's actions or outcomes.

shoulder the blame

Specifically relates to accepting negative consequences or fault.

accept the consequences

Highlights the acceptance of results following an action.

face the music

An idiomatic expression for accepting unpleasant consequences.

own up to

An informal way of admitting fault or responsibility.

answer for

Focuses on the need to explain or justify one's actions.

be held accountable

Emphasizes the expectation of being answerable for one's actions.

step up to the plate

Implies readiness to confront a challenge or duty.

FAQs

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

You can use "take responsibility" to indicate that someone is acknowledging their role in a situation, such as, "The manager decided to "take responsibility" for the team's failure".

What's a more formal way to say "take responsibility"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "assume accountability" or "bear the responsibility". These phrases are suitable in professional or academic contexts.

Is it always negative to "take responsibility"?

While often used in situations involving errors or failures, "take responsibility" can also apply to positive outcomes, indicating acceptance of ownership and credit. For example, someone might "take responsibility" for a project's success.

What's the difference between "take responsibility" and "take the blame"?

"Take responsibility" implies acknowledging a role and commitment to address the situation, while "shoulder the blame" focuses solely on accepting the fault or negative consequences.