Reading Theme:
Understanding Responsibility: Meaning and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：accountability for actions (responsibility)
responsibility
/rɪˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
n.
A state where you are the one who must deal with the results of your actions or decisions.
accountability for actions
➕
/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti fɔr ˈækʃənz/
n.
The state of being accountable for the consequences of one's own actions or decisions.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From 'responsible', Latin 'respondere' (to answer), with suffix '-ity' for state or condition.
💡 Mnemonic
Response + ability: the ability to respond to your duties and obligations.
📖 Example
As a parent, you have the responsibility to keep your children safe and teach them right from wrong.
As a parent, you have the responsibility to keep your children safe and teach them right from wrong.
🔗 Collocations
take responsibility – to accept accountability for something
bear responsibility – to be held accountable for a duty
sense of responsibility – the feeling of being obligated to do something right
🔄 Synonyms
accountability (n.) – the state of being responsible for one's actions
duty (n.) – a moral or legal obligation
obligation (n.) – something that one is bound to do
🚫 Antonyms
irresponsibility (n.) – lack of accountability or carelessness
🌱 Derivatives
responsible (adj.) – having an obligation to do something
responsibly (adv.) – in a way that shows accountability
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'responsum' (answer), evolving to mean accountability. In modern culture, it's key in ethics, law, and corporate social responsibility (CSR), highlighting duty to society.
Meaning 2：specific duty (responsibility)
responsibility
/rɪˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
n.
A particular job, task, or thing that you are expected to take care of or be in charge of.
specific duty
➕
/spəˈsɪfɪk ˈdjuːti/
n.
A particular task or role that one is expected to perform or oversee.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
One of my main responsibilities at work is to answer customer emails and solve their problems.
One of my main responsibilities at work is to answer customer emails and solve their problems.
🔗 Collocations
job responsibilities – the duties associated with a position
fulfill responsibilities – to complete assigned tasks
delegate responsibility – to assign a duty to someone else
🔄 Synonyms
task (n.) – a piece of work to be done
assignment (n.) – a specific duty given to someone
charge (n.) – a duty for which one is responsible
🚫 Antonyms
neglect (n.) – failure to care for something properly
🌱 Derivatives
responsible (adj.) – having an obligation to do something
responsibly (adv.) – in a way that shows accountability
Wordbook
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