taking ownership

USAGE SUMMARY

"taking ownership" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means accepting responsibility for something, whether it be a physical object or a task. Example: After the group project was completed, everyone took ownership of their assigned tasks and presented their work with pride.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She is taking ownership.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I'm taking ownership of it".

The Guardian - Music

It's community taking ownership of the issues".

The Guardian

It's not necessarily taking ownership of material things, but taking ownership of one's life.

The New York Times

It was my way of taking ownership of my status.

Independent

It's the same thing taking ownership of a program".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's taking ownership of your surfing experience," Mr. Sutton said.

The New York Times - Travel

After lots of rehearsing, he told him: "I'm taking ownership of this team right now.

The New York Times - Sports

"By writing this book I was taking ownership of my life".

The New York Times - Books

It is about Africans taking ownership, developing their own forms of accountability, and delivering change.

The Economist

This is just about me taking ownership of what I need to do.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "taking ownership" to emphasize the importance of individuals or groups accepting responsibility for their actions or decisions.

Common error

Don't use "taking ownership" when you simply mean possessing something. "Taking ownership" implies an active process of assuming responsibility and control, not just passive possession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking ownership" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking ownership" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of assuming responsibility and control. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and to a lesser extent, Science. The phrase conveys a sense of proactive engagement and accountability. As suggested by Ludwig examples, it is important to differentiate between "taking ownership" and merely "having ownership", as the former implies an active process of assuming responsibility, while the latter simply indicates possession. Related phrases include "assuming responsibility" and "accepting accountability", providing alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assuming responsibility

Focuses more on the act of being accountable for something.

embracing responsibility

Highlights the positive and enthusiastic acceptance of accountability.

accepting accountability

Highlights the willingness to be answerable for outcomes.

claiming responsibility

Highlights the act of acknowledging and accepting duties.

being accountable

Focuses on the state of being responsible for one's actions.

exercising control

Emphasizes the power and authority associated with managing something.

assuming control

Focuses on the act of gaining power and responsibility.

becoming responsible

Focuses on the process of transition towards a position of ownership.

stepping up

Suggests a proactive approach to taking charge and dealing with a situation.

getting involved

Suggests active participation and a willingness to take responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "taking ownership" in a sentence?

"Taking ownership" can be used to describe accepting responsibility. For example, "The team is "taking ownership" of the project's success."

What does "taking ownership" mean?

It means accepting responsibility for something and acting as though it is your own, indicating a proactive and accountable approach.

What can I say instead of "taking ownership"?

You can use alternatives like "assuming responsibility", "accepting accountability", or "exercising control" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "taking ownership" and "having ownership"?

"Taking ownership" implies an active assumption of responsibility, while "having ownership" simply indicates possession or control.