denying responsibility

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Refusing to admit that you caused something or should be blamed for it.

   Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'be' or 'accuse someone of', and commonly followed by 'for' plus a noun or -ing form.

   Patterns

   • denying responsibility for something
   • accuse someone of denying responsibility
   • be accused of denying responsibility

   The manager was accused of denying responsibility for the safety failures.

   She kept denying responsibility for the broken window, even though she was the only one home.

   Denying responsibility for your mistakes can damage trust with your team.

Common combinations

denying responsibility for

The company is denying responsibility for the oil spill.

accused of denying responsibility

The official was accused of denying responsibility for the delays.

refuse to deny responsibility

He refused to deny responsibility, saying he would investigate.

denying all responsibility

The driver was denying all responsibility for the crash.

Synonyms and how they differ

shifting blame

Focuses on putting the fault on someone else, while 'denying responsibility' just means not accepting it yourself.

evading responsibility

Suggests avoiding the duty or consequences rather than directly saying you are not at fault.

Opposites

Word family

deny verb

To state that something is not true or that you did not do it.

denial noun

A statement that something is not true or that you are not responsible.

responsible adjective

Having the duty to deal with something or being the cause of something.

responsibility noun

A duty to take care of something or a state of being the cause of something.

Practice

Make it your own

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

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