was partly responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was partly responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something had a role in causing a particular outcome, but not the sole responsibility. Example: "The investigation revealed that the company was partly responsible for the environmental damage due to its lax safety protocols."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Taymor, no doubt, was partly responsible for that.

The New Yorker

The US election was partly responsible for Facebook's gains.

The Guardian - Tech

And that was partly responsible for his murder".

The Guardian - Music

Mitchelson said that bin Salman was partly responsible for Al Fassi's debts.

The New York Times - Sports

After the killing of Mr. Dink, some critics said the law was partly responsible.

The New York Times

John's father was partly responsible for bringing his carriage to Selsey.

The Guardian

Minutes later it got worse as he was partly responsible for the second goal.

The New York Times - Sports

She was a role model for me, and her example was partly responsible for my drive.

The New York Times

For this, the family feeling of Louis IX was partly responsible.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His incitement of antiministerial feeling was partly responsible for Bute's decision to retire in April 1763.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Serial publication was partly responsible for imperfect integration of the various episodes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was partly responsible", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject was responsible for and to what extent. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was partly responsible" when the subject's role was negligible or nonexistent. Overstating the degree of responsibility can weaken your argument and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was partly responsible" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, attributing a degree of causation or accountability to a subject. It indicates that the subject had a role in bringing about a particular result, without being solely accountable. Examples on Ludwig illustrate this across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was partly responsible" is a common and grammatically sound way to express partial causation or accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various domains. This phrase is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, indicating its use in formal and informative writing. When using this phrase, be sure to provide clear context and avoid overstating the degree of responsibility. Alternatives like "contributed in part to" or "played a role in" can be used to add nuance. This analysis provides a complete guide to understanding and effectively using the phrase "was partly responsible".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was partially accountable for

Uses "accountable" which is more formal than "responsible".

Was a factor in

Focuses on being one of many factors, downplaying direct responsibility.

Contributed in part to

Emphasizes the contribution aspect, rather than the responsibility.

Shared some responsibility

Highlights the shared nature of the responsibility, differing from individual partial responsibility.

Played a role in

Focuses on the action of playing a part, less direct than being responsible.

Had a part to play in

Similar to "played a role", but emphasizes the necessity of the part.

Helped bring about

Highlights the action of causing something to happen, differing from direct responsibility.

Bore some of the blame for

Specifically relates to negative outcomes and blame, differing from general responsibility.

Had a hand in

More informal expression suggesting involvement.

Was instrumental in

Suggests a more significant, crucial role than simply being partly responsible.

FAQs

How do I use "was partly responsible" in a sentence?

Use "was partly responsible" to indicate that someone or something contributed to an outcome, but wasn't solely responsible. For example, "The outdated equipment "was partly responsible" for the accident".

What can I say instead of "was partly responsible"?

You can use alternatives like "contributed in part to", "played a role in", or "was partially accountable for" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was partly responsible" or "was fully responsible"?

The choice depends on the actual degree of responsibility. Use "was fully responsible" if the subject bore complete responsibility; otherwise, ""was partly responsible"" is more accurate.

What's the difference between "was partly responsible" and "was primarily responsible"?

"Was partly responsible" indicates a shared or partial contribution, while "was primarily responsible" suggests the subject had the largest or most significant contribution to the outcome.