weight of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weight of responsibility" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it in a sentence such as: "The weight of responsibility to provide for his family weighed heavily on his shoulders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"There is a certain weight of responsibility.

The New York Times - Sports

I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.

The Guardian

Quite a weight of responsibility, all the same.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You do feel a weight of responsibility," she admits.

The Guardian - Money

To paraphrase Conrad's Kurtz, "Oh the weight of responsibility, the weight …" It's not all bad, though.

The Guardian

Minister Yes, what am I saying – uh, "very honoured, weight of responsibility" blah blah.

The Guardian

Biggs says she has felt the "weight of responsibility for an historic institution".

The Guardian

And, in the end, she did not feel or process the weight of responsibility.

The New York Times

It alone seems to feel the weight of responsibility to hold the organisation together.

The Economist

Those of us who feel a weight of responsibility to tackle this problem would not dream of hiding behind disadvantage.

The Guardian - Opinion

'There's a huge weight of responsibility because people feel proprietorial towards these books and characters,' she says.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "weight of responsibility" to effectively convey the serious and burdensome nature of a particular duty or obligation. It's particularly useful when describing the emotional or psychological impact of having significant responsibilities.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid using "weight of responsibility" in very casual or lighthearted contexts. Simpler phrases like "being in charge" or "having to do something" might be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weight of responsibility" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the subjective experience of feeling burdened by duties or obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weight of responsibility" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the burden or pressure associated with having significant duties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in news and media contexts to convey the seriousness of a situation or the impact of decisions on individuals and organizations. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience when using this phrase. Alternatives like "burden of responsibility" or "onus of responsibility" can be used to add nuance. Avoiding overuse in casual settings and being mindful of the specific meaning you wish to convey will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

burden of responsibility

Focuses more on the difficulty and oppressiveness of the responsibility.

onus of responsibility

Highlights the obligation and duty inherent in the responsibility.

the pressure of responsibility

Highlights the stress and demands associated with being responsible.

sense of responsibility

Emphasizes the feeling or awareness of being responsible.

the load of responsibility

Implies a heavy burden associated with the responsibility.

duty of care

Specifically refers to a legal or moral obligation to avoid causing harm.

accountability

Focuses on being answerable for one's actions or decisions.

moral obligation

Stresses the ethical dimension of the responsibility.

demands of leadership

Highlights pressure from a position of leadership.

the cross to bear

This is an idiomatic expression about accepting a situation that can't be changed, as a hardship.

FAQs

How can I use "weight of responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "weight of responsibility" to describe the burden felt when someone has important duties. For example, "The president felt the "weight of responsibility" when making decisions that affected the entire nation."

What are some alternatives to "weight of responsibility"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "burden of responsibility", "onus of responsibility", or "sense of responsibility" as alternatives.

Is it better to say "weight of responsibility" or "weight of responsibilities"?

"Weight of responsibility" typically refers to a general feeling of being burdened by duty. "Weight of responsibilities" refers to more specifically the multiple individual burdens one is experiencing. Both are correct, but usage depends on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "weight of responsibility" and "weight of expectation"?

"Weight of responsibility" refers to the burden of having duties to perform, while "weight of expectation" refers to the pressure created by anticipating future results.