the primary responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the primary responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the main duty or obligation that someone has in a particular context or role. Example: "As the project manager, my primary responsibility is to ensure that the team meets its deadlines and delivers quality work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The states have the primary responsibility for response to cancer cluster concerns within their domain.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The primary responsibility for a response to a lack of confidence must be national".

The New York Times

But the primary responsibility remains calling games.

The New York Times - Sports

The Republicans bear the primary responsibility, though.

The New Yorker

Ultimately, though, the primary responsibility lies with Romney himself.

The New Yorker

States will have the primary responsibility for reviewing rate increases.

The New York Times

"We have the primary responsibility to ensure that they are who they say they are.

The New York Times

Who, if anyone, should bear the primary responsibility (individuals, scientists, governments)?

The New York Times

Muslim intellectuals bear the primary responsibility of not lending credibility to this counter-productive game.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We recognize that the primary responsibility for dealing with Iraqi disarmament lies with the Security Council".

The New York Times

"Yes, enforcement is the primary responsibility of this department," said Gordon Johndroe, Mr. Ridge's spokesman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the primary responsibility", clearly define the scope of the responsibility to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying that "the primary responsibility" is the only responsibility. Often, multiple parties share responsibilities, even if one is designated as primary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the main duty or obligation associated with a person, group, or entity. Ludwig AI shows that it correctly highlights the key obligation in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary responsibility" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote the main duty or obligation in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across news, academic, and scientific domains. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding the scope of the responsibility and avoid implying it's the only one. Consider alternatives like "the main responsibility" or "the principal duty" for nuanced variations. It's important to recognize that "the primary responsibility" doesn't eliminate other shared responsibilities, just highlights the most critical one. This makes it essential for effective communication in professional, academic, and general settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main responsibility

Replaces "primary" with "main", indicating a slight shift in emphasis but maintaining the core meaning.

the chief responsibility

Substitutes "primary" with "chief", highlighting the leading or most important aspect of the responsibility.

the utmost responsibility

The term "utmost" heightens the degree or level of importance associated with the responsibility.

the principal duty

Replaces "responsibility" with "duty", emphasizing the obligation aspect.

the fundamental duty

Replaces "responsibility" with "duty" and "primary" with "fundamental".

the foremost obligation

Uses "foremost" and "obligation" to convey a sense of priority and commitment.

the key obligation

Highlights the key aspect of what is required of someone. Similar meaning.

the leading role

Shifts the focus from responsibility to the role that carries the most weight or influence.

the central task

Emphasizes the importance of the task at hand, framing it as the most critical one.

the core function

Focuses on the essential function or purpose for which someone or something is responsible.

FAQs

What does "the primary responsibility" mean?

It refers to the main or most important duty or obligation that someone has in a particular situation or role.

How to use "the primary responsibility" in a sentence?

For example, "The primary responsibility for this project lies with the project manager."

What can I say instead of "the primary responsibility"?

You can use alternatives like "the main responsibility", "the chief responsibility", or "the principal duty depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the primary responsibilities"?

Yes, "the primary responsibilities" is the plural form, used when referring to multiple main duties or obligations. "The primary responsibilities of a teacher include educating and supervising students.