to take responsibilities vs to take on responsibilities

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'To take on responsibilities' is more commonly used and refers to accepting or assuming responsibilities. On the other hand, 'to take responsibilities' can be used in a more general sense, but it is less common.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 3581 views

This phrase is correct but less common. It can be used in a general sense to refer to assuming responsibilities.

"to take responsibilities"

This phrase can be used when talking about assuming responsibilities in a general way. It is less common than 'to take on responsibilities.'

Examples:

As a team leader, you need to take responsibilities for the project's success.
She always takes responsibilities for her actions.

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There is a lack of will to take responsibilities and all of the officials are tempted not to spend, in case there is any doubt and they have any problems.
You refuse to take responsibility for Oliver yourself.
Parliament's third task is to take responsibility.
Airlines need to take responsibility for their passengers.
Competition needs people who can and want to take responsibility.
He needs you to take responsibility for all of Wayward Pines.
You must find a way to make amends, to take responsibility.
I expect him to take responsibility.
You should be able to take responsibility for your own medications.
No need to take responsibility, Gregor.
This is your chance to take responsibility.
You challenged him to take responsibility, and he listened.
You need to take responsibility, not just for yourself.
But offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions.
We're offering you the opportunity to take responsibility now.
I have to take responsibility somehow.
That's why it's the people running the sport have to take responsibility.
I'm willing to take responsibility for all defamation issues that arise.
Well, there has to be a way to take responsibility without shattering everything.
You have the opportunity to take responsibility for millions of children.

Alternatives:

to take on responsibilities
to assume responsibilities
to shoulder responsibilities
to undertake responsibilities
to bear responsibilities

This phrase is correct and commonly used. It means to accept or assume responsibilities.

"to take on responsibilities"

This phrase is commonly used when someone is accepting or assuming responsibilities. It is more specific than 'to take responsibilities.'

Examples:

She is willing to take on responsibilities beyond her job description.
The manager decided to take on more responsibilities to help the team.

Show examples from the web [+]

Now that we are beginning, cautiously, to take on responsibilities in military areas too, that is what is special about the European Union - and what sets us apart from a purely military alliance.
Cases have also been reported of workers being pressed to take on responsibilities without the appropriate promotion, leading to wage discrimination.
Develop the capacity in the government free from undue political influence to take on responsibilities in the areas of justice and the interior.
Additionally, it helps the individual to be pro-active and more open to take on responsibility for his or her own employability in the working life.
The Commission believes this sector of the market would be better served if it were liberalised in order to promote a more commercial approach and to allow a single undertaking to take on responsibility for a through service.
Do you know it well enough to take on responsibility?
Finally, it showed that Europe is ready politically (Petersberg Conference), economically (aid for reconstruction) and militarily (ISAF) to take on responsibility for international peace missions.
In practice it will be that the European Union has to take on responsibility in some form for the entire region.
If we are expected to take on responsibility, however, then we can expect some responsibility in return.
The EMEA has agreed to take on responsibility for the majority of the pan-European information technology projects and services with effect from January 2003 in accordance with a strategy proposal and implementation plan developed by the European Commission.
She did, however, recognise that it was difficult to define the concept of biological diversity and felt that it was up to the Member States to take on responsibility for habitat protection.
Calls on families to take on responsibility for ensuring that their children do not encourage or engage in classroom violence;
The EUR 200 million proposed by the Commission would also express well our sense of obligation, our awareness of the need for us to take on responsibility, and our willingness to do so together on the basis of the EU Budget.
It is something for which we can all be grateful to the men and women who had to take on responsibility, after 8 May 1945, for the work of unification that they achieved.
2 bis An international organization shall be authorized by the Administrative Committee to take on responsibility for the effective organization and functioning of an international guarantee system.
I think it's really important that we prepare the volunteers to take on more responsibility.
Ghost, I want you to take on more responsibility.
I'm ready to take on more responsibility around here.
I thought you said that Zoey was ready - to take on more responsibility.
Sir, Mr. Sheikh has agreed to take on this responsibility.

Alternatives:

to assume responsibilities
to shoulder responsibilities
to undertake responsibilities
to bear responsibilities
to take responsibilities

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to take responsibilities vs to take on responsibilities