too much responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too much responsibility" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an excessive amount of duties or obligations that someone has to manage. Example: "After taking on several new projects at work, I feel like I have too much responsibility on my plate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's too much responsibility.

The New York Times

The position was too much responsibility.

The Guardian

This is way too much responsibility.

The New York Times

He has a cat because "dogs are too much responsibility".

The New York Times

But you place far too much responsibility on my office.

The New York Times

Even k a dog was too much responsibility for me.

Independent

Are they given too much responsibility too young?

The Economist

"That's too much responsibility for a 5-year-old".

The New York Times

Have they given too much responsibility and not enough support?

The Guardian

You're having too much responsibility for your brother.

The New York Times - Magazine

Dr Sasai became a scapegoat, taking too much responsibility for the troubles, it said.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "too much responsibility", consider the specific aspect of responsibility that is excessive. Is it the workload, the emotional burden, or the strategic decision-making? Being specific can improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "too much responsibility" without context. Instead, specify why the responsibility is excessive (e.g., "too much responsibility for someone with limited experience").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too much responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It expresses the state of being burdened with an excessive amount of duties or obligations. Ludwig AI shows it can be used to describe situations where individuals or organizations are assigned an unmanageable level of accountability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "too much responsibility" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys an overwhelming sense of duty or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, notably news and media, but also science, academia, and business. While generally appropriate for neutral to professional settings, specifying the reason for the excess is crucial for clarity. When writing or speaking, consider alternatives such as "excessive burden of responsibility" or "overwhelming accountability" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overloaded with responsibilities

Uses a verb phrase to express being overburdened with responsibilities.

excessive burden of responsibility

Replaces "too much" with "excessive burden of", emphasizing the weight and oppressiveness of the responsibility.

overwhelming accountability

Substitutes "responsibility" with "accountability" and "too much" with "overwhelming", focusing on the pressure of being held answerable.

disproportionate accountability

Focuses on how accountability is not in correct proportion.

undue burden

Uses a more concise and formal phrase to indicate an unfair or inappropriate level of responsibility.

unmanageable workload

Focuses on the quantity of work involved, implying that it's beyond one's capacity.

excessive duties

Replaces responsibility with duties, highlighting the tasks that cause burden.

onerous commitments

Indicates how commitments weigh heavily on someone.

inordinate obligations

Indicates an unreasonable amount of required actions and duties.

excessive oversight

Indicates having to pay attention and control too much.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "too much responsibility" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "excessive burden of responsibility", "undue burden", or "disproportionate accountability" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it always negative to have "too much responsibility"?

While often used in a negative context to describe being overwhelmed, "too much responsibility" can also highlight situations where someone is entrusted with more duties than they are prepared for, regardless of their personal feelings about it.

What are some signs that someone has "too much responsibility"?

Signs can include increased stress levels, decreased productivity, difficulty meeting deadlines, neglecting personal well-being, and expressing feelings of being overwhelmed.

What is the difference between "too much responsibility" and "excessive control"?

"Too much responsibility" refers to an overwhelming burden of duties or obligations, while "excessive control" indicates an overbearing or restrictive influence over others or a situation. Responsibility implies accountability, while control implies power.