this lies with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this lies with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate responsibility or ownership of a particular issue or situation. Example: "The decision on the project timeline ultimately lies with the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Responsibility for this lies with both CarillionAmey and the government.

The Guardian

They agreed responsibility to resolve this lies with the Iraqi government.

The Guardian

But responsibility for this lies with both the authorities and the opposition.

The Guardian - Opinion

My real concern with this lies with the need to perform.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The responsibility for this lies with America, the main sponsor of the peace process".

The New York Times

The industry insists the blame for this lies with George Osborne's austerity programme at the Treasury rather than at the DECC.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

While ultimate responsibility for this lay with Unmik, the bank again neglected an opportunity to influence the situation for the better.

The Guardian

And the responsibility for this lay with Queen Victoria herself.

BBC

In this Article, we argue that partial responsibility for this situation lies with the outdated and ineffective financial reporting regime for public entities.

Harvard University

The near-term hope of arresting or reversing this slide lies with Congress.

The New York Times

Responsibility for this calamity lies with the Conservative Party, not the Labour leadership.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning responsibility using "this lies with", ensure clarity by specifying the entity or person to whom the responsibility is assigned.

Common error

Avoid using "this lies with" without clearly identifying who or what holds the responsibility. This can lead to confusion and ambiguity. Be specific to ensure clear understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this lies with" primarily functions as a means of assigning responsibility or indicating where the authority or influence for a particular matter resides. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it's used to show which entity or factor is responsible for something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this lies with" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to assign responsibility or indicate where something originates. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is most frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. To use the phrase effectively, be specific about who or what holds the responsibility to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "this responsibility rests with" or "the onus is on" can be used for variety. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can confidently incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this responsibility rests with

Focuses on the delegation of duty, shifting from location to obligation.

this is attributable to

Highlights cause and effect, replacing the spatial sense with direct causation.

the onus is on

Emphasizes the burden or duty placed upon someone.

this is down to

An informal way to assign responsibility or explain the cause of something.

this is linked to

Indicates a connection or association, moving away from direct responsibility.

the origin of this is

Shifts the focus to the beginning or source of something.

the basis for this is

Highlights the foundation or rationale behind something.

this stems from

Implies origination or development from a particular source or cause.

this is a consequence of

Indicates that something is the result or outcome of another event or situation.

this falls under the purview of

Specifies that something is within the authority or control of a particular entity.

FAQs

How to use "this lies with" in a sentence?

Use "this lies with" to assign responsibility or indicate the origin of something. For example, "The responsibility for the project's success "this lies with" the project manager".

What can I say instead of "this lies with"?

You can use alternatives such as "this responsibility rests with", "the onus is on", or "this is attributable to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "this lies with" or "the responsibility lies with"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "This lies with" is slightly more concise, while "the responsibility lies with" is more explicit about the concept of responsibility.

What's the difference between "this lies with" and "this resides with"?

"This lies with" often implies responsibility or fault, while "this resides with" indicates where something is located or where authority is vested. The subtle difference in emphasis depends on the context.