The structure “Be Responsible For + Gerund” is a common and important grammatical pattern that often appears in IELTS exams. Understanding and using this structure correctly can significantly enhance your performance in both the writing and speaking sections of the test. Let’s dive into a detailed exploration of this construction and how to effectively apply it in your IELTS preparation.
Understanding “Be Responsible for + Gerund”
The phrase “be responsible for + gerund” is used to express accountability or duty for an action or process. It’s a versatile structure that can be employed in various contexts, making it particularly useful for IELTS candidates aiming to demonstrate their language proficiency.
Examples:
- The manager is responsible for overseeing the project.
- Students are responsible for submitting their assignments on time.
- The government is responsible for implementing new policies.
- As a team leader, she is responsible for motivating her colleagues.
- Parents are responsible for ensuring their children’s safety.
In each of these examples, the subject (manager, students, government, she, parents) is assigned the responsibility of performing the action expressed by the gerund (overseeing, submitting, implementing, motivating, ensuring).
Responsibility concept
Grammar Formula and Structure
The basic formula for this structure is:
[Subject] + [be verb] + responsible for + [gerund phrase]
It’s crucial to note that the gerund (verb + -ing) is always used after “responsible for,” never the infinitive. This is a common mistake that IELTS test-takers should be aware of and avoid.
Application in IELTS Writing
In IELTS Writing Task 2, this structure can be effectively used to discuss roles, duties, and social issues. For example:
“In modern societies, governments are responsible for providing adequate healthcare and education to all citizens. However, some argue that individuals should be responsible for managing their own health and learning needs.”
Here, the structure is used twice to contrast different viewpoints on responsibility, showcasing your ability to use complex grammatical structures in discussing abstract ideas.
Application in IELTS Speaking
For the Speaking test, you can use this structure to talk about personal responsibilities or discuss societal issues. For instance:
Examiner: “What are some responsibilities of parents?”
Candidate: “Well, I believe parents are responsible for nurturing their children’s emotional well-being. They’re also responsible for guiding their children’s educational journey and ensuring they develop good values and morals.”
This response demonstrates a good command of the structure while providing a thoughtful answer to the question.
Achieving Higher Band Scores with “Be Responsible for + Gerund”
To achieve higher band scores in IELTS, it’s not just about using the structure correctly, but using it effectively and in context. Here’s how you can elevate your usage:
For Band 6: Use the basic structure correctly.
Example: “Companies are responsible for protecting customer data.”For Band 7: Use the structure with some complexity and in relevant contexts.
Example: “In the digital age, tech companies are increasingly responsible for safeguarding users’ personal information, a task that has become more challenging with the rise of sophisticated cyber threats.”For Band 8-9: Use the structure flexibly, with idiomatic variations and in complex sentences.
Example: “While governments are ostensibly responsible for regulating environmental practices, the onus increasingly falls on multinational corporations to be proactive in minimizing their carbon footprint, thereby shouldering the responsibility for mitigating climate change alongside public institutions.”
Notice how the higher band examples incorporate more sophisticated vocabulary, complex ideas, and even variations of the “responsible for” structure.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Using infinitive instead of gerund:
Incorrect: The manager is responsible to oversee the project.
Correct: The manager is responsible for overseeing the project.Omitting “for”:
Incorrect: The student is responsible completing the assignment.
Correct: The student is responsible for completing the assignment.Using passive voice incorrectly:
Incorrect: The project is responsible for being overseen by the manager.
Correct: The manager is responsible for overseeing the project.Confusing with similar structures:
Be careful not to confuse “be responsible for + gerund” with “be responsible to + someone”. For example:
“The team leader is responsible for managing the project.” (correct)
“The team leader is responsible to the project manager.” (also correct, but different meaning)
To avoid these mistakes, practice using the structure in various contexts and always double-check your writing for these common errors.
Conclusion
Mastering the “be responsible for + gerund” structure can significantly enhance your IELTS performance. It allows you to express ideas about responsibility and duty clearly and effectively. Remember to use it in both your writing and speaking practice, and try to incorporate it into more complex sentence structures as you become more comfortable with it.
For further practice, try using this structure in essays about environmental issues, corporate responsibility, or personal development. These topics often appear in IELTS tests and provide excellent opportunities to showcase your command of this grammatical pattern.
