# be responsible for

CEFR B1 · Fixed phrase

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/be-responsible-for
Updated: 2026-07-26

## Definition

to have the duty of taking care of something or someone; also, to be the cause of something happening.

For teachers: to have control over or care of something as a duty; additionally, to be the primary cause or agent of a specific outcome. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase following the copula 'be'.

## Examples

- You are responsible for keeping your room clean.
- As the project manager, she is responsible for making sure the team meets every deadline.
- The heavy rainfall was largely responsible for the sudden collapse of the ancient stone bridge.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He is responsible of the marketing department." but "He is responsible for the marketing department." — the adjective 'responsible' collocations with the preposition 'for', not 'of'.

## Usage notes

- always followed by the preposition 'for' and a noun or a gerund (-ing form).
- Teaching tip: distinguish between the 'duty' sense and the 'cause' sense; learners often forget that 'responsible' can describe the reason for a negative event without implying a moral duty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.