thing responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thing responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when identifying the cause or agent behind a particular effect or situation. Example: "The thing responsible for the delay in the project was a lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And I knew that the only thing responsible for that was me doing drugs.

The Guardian - Music

Mathematicians have spent 2,000 years searching for the thing responsible for the strange behaviour of the primes; they want to know whodunit.

The Guardian - Books

Yet Symantec discovered the fridge was simply on the same network and using the same IP address as a hacked Windows PC, which was really the thing responsible for the spam.

The Guardian - Tech

Moreover, they argued, if the only thing responsible for informing the matter of a human being is the soul, it would seem that (what used to be) the body should immediately dissipate when a person dies.

SEP

Integration with music also creates an emotional linkage, one thing responsible for Tapulous' success was the functionality to apply multiple songs from artists like Justin Bieber to Lady Gaga.

TechCrunch

Not only does this sound like "boys will be boys", it also diminishes the women's existence to a thing responsible for satisfying her husband or else.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

These are the things responsible for that startling, even uncanny, impression of presence, the sense that you are hearing the music as it is being made.

The New York Times - Arts

We began with Marxist and post-Marxist ideas of "base" (those people and things that gird the system in the form of physical labor and natural resources) and "superstructure" (those people and things responsible for the reproduction of the ideology of the system).

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This suggests that there are more, many more, things responsible for climate than CO2 levels.

BBC

Tencent is, among many things, responsible for WeChat, China's top messaging app and an incredibly sticking mobile platform in its own right.

TechCrunch

Zabel, on the other hand, previously worked on consumer-facing products at BMW's Palo Alto lab, where he was, among other things, responsible for BMW's iPhone integration and Google Maps send-to-car-GPS functionality.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thing responsible for", ensure that the noun 'thing' is appropriately specific or replaced with a more precise term if clarity is needed. For example, instead of "the thing responsible for the accident", use "the driver responsible for the accident".

Common error

Avoid using "thing responsible for" when a more specific noun would provide better clarity and precision. Replace 'thing' with the actual cause or agent to avoid vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thing responsible for" serves as a causal indicator, identifying an entity or factor that brings about a particular outcome or situation. It's a common way to denote causation, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "thing responsible for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote causation or attribution of responsibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans across diverse contexts from News & Media to Science and Academia. To enhance clarity and precision in writing, it's advisable to replace the generic 'thing' with a more specific noun whenever possible. While versatile, using more formal alternatives may be more appropriate in academic or scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause of

Directly indicates the origin or source of an event or condition.

factor causing

Focuses on the causative element rather than the agentive "thing".

reason for

Highlights the justification or explanation behind something.

source of

Emphasizes the origin or where something comes from.

mechanism responsible for

More scientific and technical alternative emphasizing the process.

agent of

Identifies the entity that produces an effect or result.

determinant of

Highlights the key factor that decides or controls an outcome.

culprit behind

Suggests wrongdoing or a negative outcome.

driving force behind

Highlights the impetus or main influence.

root of

Indicates the fundamental basis or origin of something.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "thing responsible for"?

You can use alternatives like "cause of", "reason for", or "factor causing" depending on the context.

How can I make my writing more precise when using "thing responsible for"?

Replace "thing" with a more specific noun. For instance, instead of "the thing responsible for the error", specify "the software bug responsible for the error".

Is "thing responsible for" formal enough for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "thing responsible for" can sometimes sound vague. In academic writing, consider using more precise alternatives like "mechanism responsible for" or "determinant of" to enhance clarity and formality.

What's the difference between "cause of" and "thing responsible for"?

"Cause of" directly indicates the origin or source, whereas "thing responsible for" can be slightly more general. "Cause of" is often more concise and impactful.