was responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone has been charged with an obligation or holds the duty of something. For example, "The teacher was responsible for ensuring that all the students understood the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who was responsible for that?

The Economist

I was responsible for what happened.

The New York Times

And who was responsible for that deregulation?

The New York Times

WHO was responsible for the shooting?

The New York Times

And I was responsible for that.

The New York Times - Magazine

Amini was responsible for twenty-eight pages.

The New Yorker

Who was responsible for the final disposition?

The New York Times

He was responsible for both mortgages.

The New York Times - Health

But Crouch was responsible for many sights.

The New Yorker

Israel was responsible for my exile.

The Economist

Who was responsible for making kitchens safer?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was responsible for" to clearly assign accountability for actions or outcomes. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about what the person or entity was responsible for.

Common error

Avoid using "was responsible for" without clear evidence or justification. Vague accusations can lead to misunderstandings and disputes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was responsible for" functions as a predicate adjective, assigning accountability or duty to a subject. Examples in Ludwig show its use across various contexts to indicate who or what caused or managed a particular event or task, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was responsible for" is a versatile and frequently used expression for indicating accountability or duty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general reference. Usage analysis reveals its prevalence in assigning accountability for various outcomes or tasks. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication, writers should ensure clarity and avoid misattributions when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was accountable for

Indicates a formal obligation to report or justify actions, emphasizing a duty of explanation.

was liable for

Suggests a legal obligation or duty to cover damages or losses.

bore responsibility for

Implies carrying the weight or burden of accountability for something.

had the duty of

Highlights the obligation or task assigned to someone.

was in charge of

Focuses on the role of leading or controlling a particular task or area.

oversaw

Implies supervision and management of a process or activity.

was the cause of

Indicates direct causality, where the subject initiated or triggered an event.

precipitated

Suggests causing something to happen suddenly or unexpectedly.

brought about

Implies causing something to occur or exist.

was instrumental in

Highlights the crucial role someone played in achieving a particular outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "was responsible for" in a sentence?

Use "was responsible for" to indicate who or what had the duty, obligation, or control over a particular action or outcome. For example, "The project manager "was responsible for" coordinating the team's efforts".

What are some alternatives to "was responsible for"?

You can use alternatives like "was accountable for", "was in charge of", or "had the duty of depending on the context".

Is it better to say "was responsible for" or "had a responsibility for"?

"Was responsible for" directly assigns accountability for a specific action or outcome. "Had a responsibility for" implies a general obligation or duty. The better choice depends on whether you're referring to a specific event or a general role.

Can "was responsible for" be used to describe both positive and negative outcomes?

Yes, "was responsible for" can describe both positive and negative outcomes. For instance, "She "was responsible for" the project's success", or "He "was responsible for" the error".