responsibility

[Lenka]

But we must take responsibility/responsibilities for creating a strong society.

I already know that responsibility is right, but could I use it in plural as well?

[BobK]

But we must take responsibility/responsibilities for creating a strong society.

I already know that responsibility is right, but could I use it in plural as well?

'Take responsibility for' is a fixed phrase. You can say 'We must take our responsibilities seriously', but when you say for you should use the singular - in most cases. (The exceptions I'm thinking of are when you're referring to a number of responsibilities, each for a thing or group of things: He always took his responsibilities - both for his family and for his friends - seriously.)

b

[Humble]

What a coincidence - I was also about to ask. Resposibility is a strange word in terms of articles. Now it has one, now it doesn't - in similar contexts!

They had a particular responsibility for promoting Tutorial Classes.
The section XI teacher, who had particular responsibility for Balbinder, said that he was the least of her worries.
an officer in the TUC Education section has particular responsibility for linking with the initiative.
… state, `principal shareholder in Bull, has a particular responsibility for the future of Bull …
The deputy head has a particular responsibility for supporting children in mainstream schools
The Bank of England has special responsibility for regulation of the markets…
The British Government have a special responsibility in this matter…

What do you make of it?

[BobK]

Hmm - I'll mull it over [think about it at greater length].

Just to add to the mix:

Angela had the responsibility of taking her younger sister to school.


b

[Humble]

Why,Bob,
the....of is a typical combination, it doesn't seem to add to the mix ...

[BobK]

Why,Bob,
the....of is a typical combination, it doesn't seem to add to the mix ...

I just meant the mix of colours: no article / indefinite article / definite article

b