ascribe responsibility to
/əˈskraɪb rɪˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti tuː/
verb phrase
-
to state or suggest that a person or thing is responsible for something, especially a duty, fault, or bad outcome
C1ascribe responsibility to somebody/something (for something)formal
- "The teacher ascribed responsibility to the whole class."B1
- "The report ascribes responsibility to the local council for the delays."B2
- "The report ascribes responsibility for the delay to poor planning."B2
- "Critics ascribed responsibility to the government for failing to prevent the crisis."C1
- "Some historians ascribe responsibility for the conflict to decisions made by both governments."C1
Common mistakes
- ascribe responsibility on the manager→ascribe responsibility to the manager
Use 'to' before the person or thing that is responsible.
- ascribe the manager responsibility→ascribe responsibility to the manager
The pattern is 'ascribe responsibility to somebody', not 'ascribe somebody responsibility'.