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I would say that one of the things that I correct the most in my lessons is the use of the word responsible.

When I ask people what work they do or ask them to describe their role in the company, they nearly always make the same mistake.

i.e.

“I am the responsible of IT.”

“He is the responsible of my office.”

“I am the responsible for client service.”

Here are a couple of facts about this word:

1. responsible is an adjective, NOT a noun;
2. the preposition that always collocates with responsible is ‘for’ and NOT ‘of’.

If you want to describe someone’s job or say who is responsible for a department, a sector or a particular job you need to give them a title – a noun:

i.e.

the person in charge; the manager; the director; the managing director; the supervisor; the organiser; the head of …(a department); the financial officer; the HR manager; the regional manager; the branch manager; the editor-in-chief etc.

You are responsible for something (noun) or for doing something

i.e.

“I’m responsible for training.”
“I’m responsible for analysing and monitoring government funded projects.”

“….those responsible for evaluating the programmes.”

“…who is responsible for recruiting new staff.”

“Ms. Berti is responsible for our office in Milan.”

You can also use the collocation to be in charge (of)…

“Mr. Collins is in charge of recruitment.” (noun) or  “Mr. Collins is in charge of recruiting new staff.” (doing something)

“Ms. Carter is in charge of two of the city’s libraries.”

“Mr. Witherspoon is in charge of security.”

“Who is in charge here?”

So PLEASE remember that responsible is an adjective and NOT a noun – no more “I am the responsible of…”!!!

Enjoy learning

Fiona 😉