responsiblere‧spon‧si‧ble /rɪˈspɒnsəbəl $ rɪˈspɑːn-/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective 
Police believe that the same man is responsible for three other murders in the area.hold somebody responsible (for something) If anything goes wrong, I will hold you personally responsible.the person/people etc responsible We are determined to bring the people responsible to justice.► see thesaurus at guilty2in charge of [not before noun] having a duty to be in charge of or to look after someone or somethingresponsible for Mills is responsible for a budget of over $5 million. The airline is legally responsible for the safety of its passengers.responsible for doing something He is responsible for recruiting and training new staff.3cause [not before noun] if something is responsible for a change, problem, event etc, it causes itresponsible for The floods were responsible for over a hundred deaths.4sensible sensible and able to make good judgments, so that you can be trusted OPP irresponsible: You can leave the children with Billy – he’s very responsible.responsible adult/citizen It’s time you started acting like a responsible adult.5responsible job/position a job in which the ability to make good judgments and decisions is needed6be responsible to somebody if you are responsible to someone, that person is in charge of your work and you must explain what you have done to them: Cabinet members are directly responsible to the president.GRAMMAR• Responsible is always an adjective, never a noun: · Who is responsible? ✗Don’t say: Who is the responsible?• The person/man/woman etc responsible is the person who has done something, usually something bad: · We will catch the person responsible. ✗Don’t say: We will catch the responsible. | We will catch the responsible person.• You say that someone is responsible for something: · Who is responsible for this mess?· Claire is responsible for marketing. ✗Don’t say: be responsible of something
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He treated me as if I wasn't responsible enough to be given the tools to do my job.
- I'm a responsible adult. I can make my own choices.
- I would feel responsible if anything happened to the kids.
- Mrs Williams says that the hospital was responsible for her husband's death.
- Police believe a local gang is responsible for the recent burglaries.
- Supporters say the program helps teens become sexually responsible.
- The other driver was responsible for the accident, and he should pay for the damage.
- Two new programs are being developed to help promote responsible sexual behavior.
- We aim to educate our children to become socially responsible citizens.
- We never worried about letting Sam babysit our kids - he'd always seemed very responsible and intelligent.
- Another discovery from the early space age was the mechanism responsible for raising intense planet-wide dust storms on Mars.
- He saw that it was this very racism that was responsible for forcing blacks into positions of marginality.
- Individuals will be responsible for their own personal development plans which will be measured against agreed standards of business performance.
- The defendants argued that they were not responsible for his death, as it could not have been foreseen.
- The Los Angeles Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries.
- The rest will be part-time, seasonal, or contract workers, responsible for designing and choreographing their own careers and retirements.
- While the work of Prof Harwood is valuable, cocoa butter is not responsible for the popularity of chocolate.
- Who was responsible for this pleasant girl being effectively unemployable?
THESAURUS
if someone is guilty of a crime or doing something wrong, they did it, and they should be punished for it: · She was found guilty of murder.· He was guilty of serious misconduct.· The two guilty men were ordered to pay damages to their victims.
[not before noun] used when saying who should be blamed for something bad that has happened: · Police believe a local gang is responsible for the burglaries.· As manager, he is ultimately responsible for the failure of the project.· The other driver was responsible for the accident.
if someone is to blame for a bad situation, they are responsible: · The government is partly to blame for the crisis.· If anything goes wrong, it’s never him that is to blame.
formal responsible for something bad or illegal, so that you deserve to be blamed or punished: · The people who helped the terrorists are equally culpable for what happened on July 7th.· He pleaded guilty to culpable homicide (=being guilty of causing someone’s death).
[not usually before noun] responsible for something bad that has happened, because you did not take enough care, or you did not try to stop it from happening: · The court decided that the railway company was negligent.
to be responsible for an accident, mistake etc – used when deciding which person, group etc should be blamed: · The other driver was clearly in the wrong.· She always thinks it’s me who is in the wrong.
used about things which seem to show that someone is guilty of a crime: · incriminating evidence· incriminating documents· He didn’t want to say anything incriminating.
people especially written if someone is trustworthy, you can trust them because they are honest: · Many people do not see politicians as trustworthy.
someone who is reliable can be trusted to do what they say they will do and not make any mistakes: · a reliable employee· We need someone who is 100% reliable.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to behave in a sensible way: · Sam’s a good babysitter – he’s responsible and the kids like him.· a responsible adult
someone who is dependable can be trusted to do what you need or expect: · Britain is our most dependable ally.
someone who is steady is sensible and you can depend on them: · He’s only sixteen, but he’s steady and reliable.
someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: · She is fiercely loyal to her family.· He is one of the party’s most loyal supporters.
someone who is faithful stays loyal to a person, belief, political party etc, and continues to support them, even in difficult situations: · Daniel had been a faithful friend.· a faithful member of the Communist Party
if you can rely or depend on someone, you can be sure that they will do what you want or need them to do: · Don’t worry about a thing – you can depend on me.· Patients rely on doctors to help them make the right decisions about their health care.
Longman Language Activatorwhen it is someone's job or duty to do something if you are responsible for or have responsibility for doing something, it is your job or your moral or legal duty to do it: · The CEO is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the company.· Why is it in our society that women are primarily responsible for raising children?· The Navy has responsibility for the defense of the island.· The health minister has overall responsibility for Britain's hospitals.
if something is up to you, you are the person who is supposed to do it: · She's done her part of the job. The rest is up to Phillip.it is up to somebody to do something: · It is up to the teacher to keep the class quiet and working hard.
to be the person who controls something and is responsible for it: · Who's in charge of the club's finances?· The UN officer is in charge of coordinating all refugee programs in the region.· The agency in charge of enforcing Mexico's gun laws declined requests for an interview.
/look after British to be responsible for a particular part or area of an organization, process, system etc: · My assistant takes care of all the travel arrangements - you'll have to ask him.· Sally looks after the accounts, and I'm in charge of the building itself.
if the onus is on someone to do something important or to make sure that something important is done, it is their responsibility to do it, without waiting to be helped or told to do it: · The onus of restarting the economy is on the government.the onus is on sb to do something: · The onus is on the taxpayer to make sure they pay enough tax.· At university the onus is on you to work hard - no one is going to force you.
something that is your job or your duty to do something that you have to do because it is your job or your duty, for example dealing with something or looking after someone: · The house is my responsibility, and I can't just let it fall apart.· Having children is a big responsibility and I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.responsibility to do something: · It is a manager's responsibility to set clear expectations for his or her employees.take on a responsibility (=accept a responsibility): · I have a bad habit of taking on more responsibilities than I can handle.
spoken something that someone is responsible for doing: · I'm not doing the shopping - that's your job.· Agency employees must enforce regulations once they're approved. That's their job. it's somebody's job to do something: · It's my job to make sure all the guests are comfortable.
something that someone is officially, morally, or legally responsible for doing: · I don't give out parking tickets because I like to - it's my duty.it is somebody's duty to do something: · I think it's your duty to tell her what you know.· My duty as a police officer is to find out the facts and communicate them to the proper people.do your duty: · As the families wept openly, the prosecutor urged the jury to do its duty and convict Ballenger.
something difficult or worrying that you are responsible for: · Running the business on my own can be a burden at times.burden of doing something: · The minister has the burden of explaining why he must raise taxes.heavy burden (=a very difficult burden): · She has three children and heavy financial burdens at home.carry a burden (=have that responsibility): · Carrying the burdens of leadership is never an easy task.
to agree to be responsible for something to agree to be responsible for something, especially something that will make you have a lot of work or pressure: take something on: · I'm very busy. I'm afraid I can't take anything else on at the moment.take on something: · Alice always seems willing to take on extra work without complaining.
formal to take responsibility for something that must be done: · The ship's owner has assumed responsibility for cleaning up the oil spill.· It was natural for Richard, as elder son, to assume responsibility for the family.
to agree to take responsibility for something that will be difficult to deal with: shoulder responsibility/debts/the cost/burdens: · The burden of supporting the poor is shouldered mainly by charities.· The company is unwilling to shoulder the cost of installing a daycare center.
to give the responsibility for doing something to another person · The law makes the government responsible for clean up of the waste at these sites.· Our department has been made responsible for all areas of training.· The best way of ensuring that the chores are done is by making each child responsible for a different one.
to give someone the responsibility of doing something or of making sure that it is done: · The boss is going to be out of the office next week, and he's putting me in charge.put sb in charge of: · Who have they put in charge of the investigation?· He had done rather well in the job and had been put in charge of a whole chain of stores.
to make someone you work with, especially someone in a lower position than you, responsible for a job or duty, so that you do not have to do it yourself: · New managers often find it difficult to delegate.· If you're so busy, why don't you delegate some of your work?
to try not to accept responsibility for a problem or a mistake that you have made, by saying that it was someone else's fault: · It's easy to pass the buck and blame someone else for your failure.· Diplomats say NATO is clearly at fault, and that officials there are trying to pass the buck.
British to make someone responsible for something that you cannot do or do not have time to do: · I didn't have time to do the accounts so I left them with Sophie.· Can we leave all this with you? It's just too complicated for us to understand.
to make someone responsible for doing something, especially something that has already been started: · Leave it to me. I'll find you a place to stay.leave it to somebody to do something: · Can I leave it to you to sort out the details of the conference?· The proposal leaves it to local communities to enforce the law.
formal to give someone the responsibility of doing something important, especially because you believe they will do it well and honestly: entrust somebody/something to somebody: · I foolishly entrusted the task of collecting the money to Ron.entrust somebody with something: · Managers show respect for employees by entrusting them with important decisions.entrust somebody/something to the care of somebody: · As a child Bertrand was entrusted to the care of nuns at a local convent.
to blame someone for something to say or think that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: · It's your idea - don't blame me if it doesn't work.· Everyone wants to blame the referees when their team loses.blame somebody for something: · Democrats have blamed Republicans for the failure to reach an agreement.blame something on somebody/something: · Some of the women blamed their husbands' violence on drinking.blame yourself: · For many years I blamed myself for her death.
especially spoken to say that someone is responsible for something bad that has happened: · Everyone is saying it's my fault, but I didn't have anything to do with it.say it's sb's fault (that): · How can you say it's my fault that you lost your job?
to say who you think is responsible for something bad that has happened, often unfairly or wrongly: · Don't try to put the blame on me!· Subsequent investigations placed the blame squarely on city officials.put/lay the blame for something on somebody/something: · Farmers have laid the blame for their problems entirely on EU policies.
to say that someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad: · They're accusing me without any proof.accuse somebody of doing something: · Are you accusing her of lying?· The woman was accused of having beaten her four-year-old daughter.be accused of murder/armed robbery etc: · West has been accused of first-degree murder.
formal to officially say which people are responsible for something bad that has happened: · It is not easy for the Committee of Inquiry to apportion blame in such a complicated case.
to say that it is someone's fault that something bad has happened because you think it was their duty to prevent this from happening: · It's your decision - you can't hold me responsible if it goes wrong.hold sb responsible for: · Alex still holds his mother responsible for the divorce.hold somebody partly/largely/entirely responsible: · The shipment never arrived, and we are holding the freight company entirely responsible.hold somebody personally responsible (=blame one person only): · If anything happens to Donny, I'll hold you personally responsible.
to feel that something is your fault and wish that you had done more to prevent it from happening: · There's no point in reproaching yourself - there's nothing you could have done.reproach yourself for: · He reproached himself for not having called the police sooner.
to become angry at someone who tells you bad news even though they are not responsible for what has happened: · If you don't listen and instead shoot the messenger, you're not going to learn about the problems you need to deal with.
to make something happen · I wish you wouldn't slam the door. It makes the floor shake.· Accidents don't always just happen - people can make them happen.· Gravity is the force that makes the planets move around the sun.
to make something happen, especially something unpleasant: · Heavy traffic is causing long delays on the roads.· About half of the chemicals that were tested caused cancer in rats.· The autopsy showed that her death was caused by liver failure.cause somebody trouble/problems/anxiety etc: · As children we were always causing our parents trouble.· Try to isolate the problems that are causing you the most difficulty.cause something to do something: · The power failure caused the whole computer system to shut down.
to be the particular reason for a problem or difficulty: · After a long investigation into the fire, faulty wiring was found to be the cause.be the cause of: · It's too early to say whether this virus is actually the cause of the disease.· An explosion on board appears to be the cause of the crash.be the leading/main cause of something: · The study showed that drug use is the leading cause of crime and violence.
to be the person or thing that causes something bad to happen, for example a mistake, a problem, or a serious accident: · The number of workplace accidents is increasing, but it is not clear who or what is responsible.be responsible for: · Heart disease was responsible for most of the deaths.· He was clearly responsible for the deaths and must be punished.be largely/mainly responsible for something: · Inflation was largely responsible for the economic crisis.
if an action or event results in something, it makes something happen: · Workers fear that the company's reorganization will result in layoffs.· Months of secret talks with the rebels finally resulted in the release of the hostages.· If left untreated, the condition will eventually result in blindness.
to start a process that finally makes something happen: · His research eventually led to the development of a vaccine.· The new regulations should lead to an improvement in our water supply.· The bank has offered a reward for information leading to the arrest of the robbers.
formal if a situation, event, or action gives rise to a particular feeling, situation etc, it starts the process that makes it happen: · The canal project gave rise to a malaria epidemic in the region.· The President's frequent cancellations have given rise to concerns about his health.
to make something happen, especially a change or an improved situation: bring about something: · The President will support any efforts to bring about a ceasefire.· Education is the best method of bringing about economic development.bring something about: · A lot of hard work by ordinary citizens eventually brought the changes about.
to make a particular condition that did not exist at all suddenly exist: · The white walls and mirrors helped to create an illusion of space.· Margot's outburst created an unpleasant atmosphere and most of the guests left early.· The end of the cold war helped create a situation in which more countries than ever have access to nuclear weapons.
if something makes for a particular situation, it makes it easier or more likely for that situation to exist: · The stormy weather made for a very bumpy landing.· Delicious food and wonderful company made for a very enjoyable evening.
when something bad is someone's fault if something is someone's fault , they are responsible for it, especially because they made a mistake: · He played very well, and it is not his fault we lost.be somebody's own fault (=when someone is responsible for something bad that happens to them): · Marie failed the exam, but it was her own fault - she didn't do any work.be sb's fault (that): · I'm so sorry. It's my fault that we're so late.be sb's fault for doing something: · Of course she was angry - but it's your fault for telling her about the whole thing in the first place.the fault of somebody: · Suggesting that our problems are the fault of someone else won't solve anything.
if someone or something is to blame for a bad situation, they caused it: · When kids do badly at school, it's not always the teachers who are to blame.be to blame for: · Some people think television is to blame for a lot of the problems in modern society.· She was as much to blame for the breakup of their marriage as he was.
if someone is responsible for an accident, crime etc, they caused it and they should be punished for it: · The police are trying to find out who was responsible.be responsible for: · There is a reward for information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for the explosion.feel responsible (=think that something is your fault): · I knew the accident wasn't really my fault, but I can't help feeling a little responsible.
if someone, especially a group of people or an organization, is at fault , they are responsible for something bad that has happened because they did not behave correctly or did not take enough care: · The accident report found both drivers to be at fault.be at fault for doing something: · With regard to the chaos after the earthquake, many people believe the government is at fault for not responding quickly enough.
if you only have yourself to blame for something bad that has happened, it is your own fault that it happened and you should not feel sorry for yourself: · His wife's left him but he only has himself to blame.only have yourself to blame for doing something: · I've only got myself to blame for losing the race.
to think that it is your fault that something bad has happened, so that you feel very upset or ashamed: · You mustn't blame yourself -- it wasn't your fault.· Children sometimes feel responsible for their parents divorcing and blame themselves.blame yourself for: · He never stopped blaming himself for his wife's death.
guilty if someone is guilty of a crime, he or she is the person that did it: · The guilty were each given a life sentence.find somebody guilty (=decide in a law court that someone is guilty): · The jury found Sewell guilty and he was sent to prison.guilty of murder/rape/a crime etc: · A 23-year-old woman was found guilty of murder in the Central Court today.guilty of doing something: · Davis was found guilty of abducting and killing Polly Klaas.plead guilty (=say in a law court that you are guilty of a crime): · Roberts pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.
if someone is responsible for a crime, accident, or mistake, they did it or made it happen: · The other driver was responsible for the accident, and he should pay for the damage.responsible for: · Police believe a local gang is responsible for the recent burglaries.· Mrs Williams says that the hospital was responsible for her husband's death.
guilty of causing something bad to happen, especially because you did not do anything to prevent it - used especially in formal or legal contexts: · If people develop smoking-related diseases, are they or the tobacco companies culpable?· Lawyers are debating whether allowing a terminally ill patient to die amounts to culpable homicide (=a legal decision that someone was criminally guilty of the death).
to feel guilty to feel worried and unhappy because you have done something wrong or because you have upset someone: · I felt really guilty after spending all that money.· Are you feeling guilty because you didn't help her?feel guilty about: · Ed felt guilty about leaving work so early.
to feel very guilty and disappointed with yourself because you have done something wrong or behaved in an unpleasant or embarrassing way: · She felt thoroughly ashamed when she remembered how drunk she'd been.be/feel ashamed of: · I feel ashamed of what I did.be/feel ashamed to do something: · I'm ashamed to admit it, but I wasn't really sorry when he died.
especially spoken to feel very sorry because you have upset someone or done something that you should not have done: · We had a long talk about it afterwards and I know she felt bad.feel bad that: · I should have told Helen I was sorry. I feel really bad that I didn't.feel bad about: · I feel bad about what I said. Things haven't been easy for either of us.feel bad about doing something: · I feel bad about not going to Debbie's party, but I've just got too much to do.
to feel that it was your fault that something bad happened: · You mustn't blame yourself. It was an accident. There was nothing you could have done.blame yourself for: · Assistant coach Rex Hughes blamed himself for the team's poor performance.
to feel guilty about something bad that has happened even though you did not cause it, especially when you feel you could have prevented it: · I'm sorry it didn't work out. I feel responsible.feel responsible for: · For a long time afterwards I felt responsible for his death.
to feel guilty for a long time and keep thinking about something bad that you have done: · I suppose I did have a guilty conscience for a while, but not any more.have a guilty conscience about: · Why is she being so nice to everyone all of a sudden? She's obviously got a guilty conscience about something.
if something bad that you have done is on your conscience , you cannot stop feeling guilty and thinking about it: · Even if you didn't get caught, the murder would be on your conscience for the rest of your life.· In the end Martin told his wife about his affair - he just couldn't live with it on his conscience.
people someone who is sensible is unlikely to do anything stupid, because they judge situations well and make good decisions: · Laura's a pretty sensible girl. I don't think she'd talk to strangers.· He's one of the few sensible people on the council.be sensible spoken: · Be sensible - you can't go out without a coat in this weather.sensible about: · People are far more sensible about what and how much they drink these days.
someone who is reasonable makes sensible decisions that are fair to everyone: · She's usually very reasonable as a boss, but now and again her temper flares up.· Let's try and discuss this in a calm and reasonable way.be reasonable spoken: · Be reasonable, Paul - I'm only trying to help.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to do what they should do and to think about the results of their actions: · We aim to educate our children to become socially responsible citizens.· I'm a responsible adult. I can make my own choices.
a child or young person who is mature behaves in a sensible way, as you would expect an older person to behave: · She's very mature for her age.· After two years of college, the students have a much more mature attitude.
if someone is rational , their actions are based on a clear understanding of the facts of a situation, and are not influenced by their feelings or imagination: · Taking action to defend yourself is a completely rational reaction if you're being attacked.· Many of the patients have long histories of drug abuse, and they're not always rational.
having the ability to understand situations and to know what is or is not possible: · She's a practical manager who realizes that a happy workforce is also a productive one.· The people of this country need to be more realistic - you can't have lower taxes as well as higher spending on health and pensions.· She is a tough, pragmatic, intuitive leader.
direct and dealing with things in a practical way, without wasting time on things that do not matter: · Mathews is a no-nonsense veteran of the police department.· Jason, with his no-nonsense approach, has been an asset to the project.
someone who is down-to-earth is practical and honest, and does not think they are more important, more intelligent etc than other people: · She's sophisticated, but also practical and down-to-earth.· People are surprised by what an unpretentious, down-to-earth guy he really is.
especially spoken if someone talks sense , they express sensible ideas or opinions that you agree with: · Someone who could talk sense would get my vote, but most politicians don't.
British /have your head screwed on right American use this about someone who will always behave sensibly in a difficult or confusing situation: · Don't worry about Sheila. She's got her head screwed on.· Anyone who can raise three such normal kids in Hollywood must have their head screwed on right.
able to think clearly and likely to behave in a sensible way, especially when other people are not being sensible: · I don't think any sane person would take his threats seriously.· It was a relief to hear one sane voice among all the shouting and hysteria.keep somebody sane: · Exercise keeps me sane. If I didn't exercise, the stress would get to me.
when you can be sure that someone will do what you want if you can depend on someone or can rely on them, you can be sure that they will do what you want or need them to do: · It's going to be a stressful time - you'll need to have someone with you who you can depend on.can depend/rely on sb to do something: · We knew we could rely on Tom to bring some good music.
someone who is reliable can be trusted to do what they say they will do and not make any mistakes: · It's strange Ben isn't here. He's usually so reliable.· In many offices the most reliable people with the longest service are the secretaries.
someone who is responsible can be trusted to behave in a sensible way, so you do not need to worry that they will do something careless or stupid: · We never worried about letting Sam babysit our kids - he'd always seemed very responsible and intelligent. · He treated me as if I wasn't responsible enough to be given the tools to do my job.responsible behaviour/decisions etc: · Two new programs are being developed to help promote responsible sexual behavior.
someone who is loyal can be trusted to always give help or support to their friends, their country, their political party etc: · a loyal supporter of the Green Party· She was described as a loyal friend of the Princess.loyal to: · Although they continue to argue, she remains fiercely loyal to her mother.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY If anything goes wrong, I will hold you personally responsible. We are determined to bring the people responsible to justice. The airline is legally responsible for the safety of its passengers. It’s time you started acting like a responsible adult. Cabinet members are directly responsible to the president.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you personally responsible. Which of them is legally responsible for the accident? The poor weather was partly responsible for the crash. I’m holding you personally responsible for this mess! socially responsible companies I shall hold you solely responsible for anything that goes wrong.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
If anything goes wrong, I will hold you personally responsible. We are determined to bring the people responsible to justice. The airline is legally responsible for the safety of its passengers. It’s time you started acting like a responsible adult. Cabinet members are directly responsible to the president.· These underlying factors were responsible for his death.
If anything happens to her, I’ll hold you personally responsible. Which of them is legally responsible for the accident? The poor weather was partly responsible for the crash. I’m holding you personally responsible for this mess! socially responsible companies I shall hold you solely responsible for anything that goes wrong.· The strong bonds in diamond are also responsible for many of its non-abrasive uses.· The administrators are also responsible for interpreting and applying many public policies that set guidelines for the behavior of individuals or groups.· The team member on duty who had completed the initial referral form was also responsible for completing the pre-coded questionnaire.· Funeral directors are also responsible for the success and the profitability of their businesses.· This attitude was also responsible for a new horological invention that was ultimately to be of far-reaching social significance.· To the latter end he was also responsible for establishing a savings bank at Workington, and for various friendly societies.· The Director is also responsible for liaison with government officials and representatives.· Nitrous oxide is also responsible for about six percent of the greenhouse effect.
· It is directly responsible for 35,000 deaths from lung cancer and twice this number from other diseases every year.· The woman I had spoken with was directly responsible for deciding what the opportunist was paid.· The constitution also made military leaders directly responsible to the emperor, allowing them to bypass the cabinet.· Severing the umbilical cord between landlords and peasants vastly increased the proportion of the population for which the centre was directly responsible.· In some places, women have been directly responsible for its introduction, whilst in others feminist ideas have influenced the law-makers.· Sender of message and person responsible for delay in clearance will be held directly responsible for possible deaths of thousands.· They are frequently directly responsible for its execution.· Each is now directly responsible for its own marketing, planning, operations, engineering and balance sheet.
· He was also largely responsible for rewriting Davis's Handbook of Chemical Engineering in its two-volume format for a second edition.· Reagan, with his extraordinary knack for bringing people together, was largely responsible for this.· As this portrait indicates, Margaret Massingberd was largely responsible for creating much of the garden areas as they still exist today.· The government said the change to chain weights was largely responsible for the higher estimate.· A grand little chap called Willie Workman was largely responsible.· By all accounts, technology is largely responsible for fueling the self-employment trend among the disabled.· Edwin was largely responsible for getting it off the ground.· Immigration trends change Changing immigration trends are largely responsible for the bifurcation in the community.
· If the Policyholder is legally responsible, there would be cover.· The skipper is legally responsible for your safety and has the final say over where you go.· Imagine our horror at the thought that we might now be held legally responsible for the tragic results of an inadequate diet.· Legal remedies can ensure that landlords carry out the works for which they are legally responsible.· Remember, that as the carrier, you remain legally responsible for the actions of your subcontract haulier.
· Trade unions have become more responsible and democratic.· The trick is to make representatives more responsible or to put in place automatic restraints on spending.· Alan thought men could be more responsible: Men should be more careful.· They tend to be more mature, more responsible, and to come from more affluent homes.· Tomorrow, the new Community Care Act will make local councils more responsible.· Such results may be explained by the hypothesis that serotonin is more responsible for regulating mood than for controlling alcohol cravings.· It's thought he's becoming more responsible.· So far his strategy seems to be working: although younger than William, he occupies a more responsible position.
· The alternative - that these lower levels are partly responsible for the development of oesophagitis - is also possible.· Consideration for his successor was partly responsible for his decision to resign short of the seven-year goal, he said.· So inevitably, I feel at least partly responsible.· Most liberals, like other feminists, believe that schools are partly responsible for instilling sexist attitudes into children.· Finally the new adverts themselves were partly responsible for the revival of early 1960s soul music in the late 1980s.· It takes time for this to develop and for people to recognise that they are partly responsible.· Prevailing conditions in the organization and distribution of the popular press were partly responsible for this.· It is sufficient that it was partly responsible for the damage.
· We are, each of us, personally responsible for damaging our environment.· Most systems have an executive cabinet, with each member directly and personally responsible for some major area of administration.· She would have been held personally responsible and would almost certainly have fallen from office.· Did this make me personally responsible for more deaths?· Like the sole trader, the partners are personally responsible for paying off any debts the shop may incur.· Now I was not personally responsible for that.· He is held personally responsible for complying with the many rules and regulations that govern its use.
· It report points out that, in many developing countries, women are primarily responsible for subsistence farming.· If environmental factors were primarily responsible for its emergence among other populations, can the same be said for male homosexuals?· Even more striking was the upsurge in heavy industry, and for this the State itself was primarily responsible.· Women were also primarily responsible for the household.· Yet even in these households the woman is primarily responsible for performing such tasks.· The militia and citizen patrols remained primarily responsible for control of the black population.· A reduction in the incidence of progressive heart failure was primarily responsible for the reduced mortality.· Why is a woman and not a man primarily responsible for raising the children?
· He nodded, avoiding the many eyes that glared at him as though he were solely responsible.· Economics is of course not solely responsible for these changes.· He says another man, Derek McCall, 20, was solely responsible.· Consequently, as social life becomes more complex, the school is increasingly seen as the agency solely responsible for providing solutions.· But it would be a distortion to suggest that de Gaulle and his agents were solely responsible for the eventual unification.· It is not reasonable to expect one person to be solely responsible for fundraising, campaigning or recruitment work.· That person is then solely responsible for any debts the business may incur.· In fact, it wasn't just the twins who were solely responsible for her feeling so exhausted.
NOUN· What had those educated women in that church, many of them with responsible jobs in London, in common with that story?
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Now he walks on crutches and holds a responsible position with a magazine in New York.
- One or two had quite responsible positions in their employment.
- Or normally have had not less than three years' experience in a responsible position in an approved specialist field within the industry.
- So far his strategy seems to be working: although younger than William, he occupies a more responsible position.
- The five-year MEng honours degree course is for particularly able students who expect to assume responsible positions in industry immediately after graduation.
- What had those educated women in that church, many of them with responsible jobs in London, in common with that story?
- Yet Margaret holds a responsible position in marketing and is by no means untalented.
- Our department manager is directly responsible to the vice-president of sales.
- All personnel appointed to administer the Compact should be responsible to this committee.
- The cabinet is responsible to the legislature.
- These officials are responsible to the people for the way they perform their duties.
- They workin accordancewith the instructions of ministers and they are responsible to ministers.
- Those who control great engines of publicity are responsible to no one but themselves; equally their methods are their own.
- To be responsible to our readers, reporters must ask hard questions.
- Whether the government is going to be responsible to the needs of people, or whether the government is going to withdraw.
- Who will be responsible to me?
- He was held not liable as there was a real and imminent danger and he had done what was reasonably necessary.
- I hold the police responsible for my son's death Voice over Police denied any knowledge of who was on the bike.
- In the past, juries have usually sided with the industry, holding smokers liable for the damage they inflict on themselves.
- Please, however, do not think that I hold you responsible, in any way, for my own uncertainty.
- She would have been held personally responsible and would almost certainly have fallen from office.
- The jury that held Simpson liable consisted of six men and six women, ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-70s.
- Then he told Hepzibah he'd hold her responsible!
- You can not learn team performance without being part of a team that holds itself mutually accountable for achieving specific performance goals.
WORD FAMILYnounresponsibility ≠ irresponsibilityadjectiveresponsible ≠ irresponsibleadverbresponsibly ≠ irresponsibly
1guilty [not before noun] if someone is responsible for an accident, mistake, crime etc, it is their fault or they can be blamedresponsible for Police believe that the same man is responsible for three other murders in the area.hold somebody responsible (for something) If anything goes wrong, I will hold you personally responsible.the person/people etc responsible We are determined to bring the people responsible to justice.► see thesaurus at guilty2in charge of [not before noun] having a duty to be in charge of or to look after someone or somethingresponsible for Mills is responsible for a budget of over $5 million. The airline is legally responsible for the safety of its passengers.responsible for doing something He is responsible for recruiting and training new staff.3cause [not before noun] if something is responsible for a change, problem, event etc, it causes itresponsible for The floods were responsible for over a hundred deaths.4sensible sensible and able to make good judgments, so that you can be trusted OPP irresponsible: You can leave the children with Billy – he’s very responsible.responsible adult/citizen It’s time you started acting like a responsible adult.5responsible job/position a job in which the ability to make good judgments and decisions is needed6be responsible to somebody if you are responsible to someone, that person is in charge of your work and you must explain what you have done to them: Cabinet members are directly responsible to the president.GRAMMAR• Responsible is always an adjective, never a noun: · Who is responsible? ✗Don’t say: Who is the responsible?• The person/man/woman etc responsible is the person who has done something, usually something bad: · We will catch the person responsible. ✗Don’t say: We will catch the responsible. | We will catch the responsible person.• You say that someone is responsible for something: · Who is responsible for this mess?· Claire is responsible for marketing. ✗Don’t say: be responsible of something