too responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "too responsible for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly, as "too" implies an excess that does not fit with the concept of being responsible for something. Example: "He is too responsible for the project's failure."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was 100% true and very well documented, but the lawyers were concerned it was making BP look too responsible for the blowout.

The Guardian - Film

He said, "I don't want to be too responsible for the film, but if you get in trouble use it and let me know and I'll help you.

The New Yorker

Are they excused from blame because they tried to reform their communities or are they, too, responsible for the harm in question by virtue of their group membership?

SEP

They are too responsible for the current mess.

Huffington Post

I was most of the way through a piece about the time my dental hygienist, upon learning my grandparents were from Turkey, held me a little too responsible for the Armenian genocide, while keeping 3 fingers in my mouth.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For the first time, too, those responsible for the tax affairs of large companies will become personally liable for careless or deliberate underpayments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Entrepreneurs have to embrace the idea that they too are responsible for creating the soft infrastructure that will enable their success and that of their future competitors.

Harvard Business Review

3) Communicate to students and their families that they too are responsible for student learning and outcomes by attending class, turning in homework, trying hard, and asking for help.

Stanford University

Nickell, too, is responsible for his organization's greatest coups, yet some skeptics say that his work is an exercise in futility: for every superstition he lops off, two new ones crop up.

The New Yorker

So the real contest is over how much autonomy Kashmir can win for itself within India, and, in the short term, how to get Indian soldiers and police (which are too often responsible for repression and torture) to behave better.

The Economist

Royal Wedding song 1981 by The New Yorker Mrs. Prout's piano has a nice ragtimey lilt and perhaps she, too, was responsible for the countermelody that appears on synthesizers about halfway through.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating excessive responsibility, consider using alternatives such as "overly responsible" or "excessively accountable" to convey the intended meaning more clearly and accurately.

Common error

Be cautious when using "too" with "responsible for". "Too" often implies an excess, which might not be the intended meaning. Ensure the context truly warrants the connotation of excessiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "too responsible for" functions as a descriptor indicating someone's involvement or accountability in a particular situation. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is often used incorrectly. Its primary function within a sentence is to assign responsibility, but the addition of "too" introduces an element of excess that can be grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "too responsible for" aims to express an excessive level of accountability, Ludwig AI identifies it as often grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "overly responsible for" or "disproportionately accountable for" to convey the intended meaning more clearly. Most examples appear in News & Media, but usage in formal writing should be carefully considered to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. When you mean a high degree of responsability is present but do not mean to imply that the responsibility is excessive you can use alternatives like "primarily accountable for" or "majorly responsible for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overly responsible for

Emphasizes an excessive level of responsibility, suggesting it might be inappropriate or burdensome.

excessively accountable for

Highlights a degree of accountability that is beyond what is normally expected or reasonable.

unduly liable for

Focuses on legal or formal responsibility that might be unfair or disproportionate.

disproportionately responsible for

Indicates that the level of responsibility is not in line with the level of control or involvement.

held excessively accountable for

Emphasizes that someone is being held to a higher standard of accountability than is justified.

bearing too much responsibility for

Highlights the burden of excessive responsibility and its potential negative impact.

shouldering excessive blame for

Suggests that someone is taking on more blame than they deserve.

largely to blame for

Points out a significant level of culpability without necessarily being excessive.

primarily accountable for

Highlights the main area of responsibility, but does not imply an excess.

majorly responsible for

Indicates a substantial degree of responsibility, without specifying if it's excessive.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the idea of excessive responsibility in a sentence?

Instead of saying someone is "too responsible for" something, consider using phrases like "overly responsible for" or "excessively accountable for" to better convey the intended meaning of excessive burden or accountability.

Is it grammatically correct to say someone is "too responsible for" something?

The phrasing "too responsible for" is generally considered incorrect because "too" implies an excess that doesn't logically align with the concept of responsibility. It's better to use alternatives that explicitly convey the idea of excessiveness if that's the intent.

What are some alternatives to express someone having a high level of responsibility?

Alternatives to "too responsible for" include "primarily accountable for", "largely to blame for", or depending on the context, "majorly responsible for".

In what context might the phrase "too responsible for" be acceptable?

While generally discouraged, the phrase might be acceptable in informal contexts where the intent is clear and the emphasis is on the burden or unfairness of the responsibility. However, in formal writing, it is advisable to choose more precise alternatives such as "disproportionately responsible for".