being responsible

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The state of having a duty to deal with something or take care of someone.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'for' plus a noun or -ing form: being responsible for the accounts.

   Patterns

   • being responsible for something
   • being responsible for doing something
   • being responsible for someone

   Being responsible for the team means you have to make difficult choices.

   She enjoys being responsible for the new employees.

   Being responsible for a pet takes time and money.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   The state of being the cause of something, especially something bad.

   Grammar: Usually followed by 'for': being responsible for the accident.

   Patterns

   • being responsible for something bad
   • being responsible for an accident

   He denied being responsible for the damage.

   The storm is being responsible for many delays.

   Being responsible for the mistake made her feel awful.

3. 3phrasefixed phrase

   The quality of behaving in a sensible and reliable way.

   Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'means' or 'involves' to define the quality.

   Patterns

   • being responsible means
   • being responsible involves

   Being responsible means thinking about how your actions affect others.

   Parents try to teach their children that being responsible is important.

Common combinations

being responsible for

She is responsible for organizing the event.

being responsible means

Being responsible means you keep your promises.

being responsible to

Managers are responsible to the board of directors.

being responsible for your actions

He learned to be responsible for his actions.

Synonyms and how they differ

accountable

Means you have to explain or answer for your actions; it often implies a formal duty.

liable

Used mostly in legal contexts to mean legally responsible for something.

duty

A noun meaning something you must do; it focuses on the task, not the state of being responsible.

Opposites

Word family

responsible adjective

Having a duty or being the cause of something.

responsibility noun

A duty or the state of being accountable.

responsibly adverb

In a sensible and reliable way.

Commonly confused: being responsible or responsive?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “being responsible”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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