Cool MateResponsible vs The boy is guilty
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Responsible
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
The boy is guilty
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Responsible
| Responsible | The boy is guilty | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈspɒnsəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈspɑːnsəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðə bɔɪ ɪz ˈɡɪlti//🇺🇸 //ðə bɔɪ ɪz ˈɡɪlti// |
| Meaning | To be someone who can be trusted to do what is right or take care of something. | The boy has done something wrong. |
| Example | She is very responsible when it comes to her job. | The teacher said, 'The boy is guilty of cheating on the test.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, become, remain, completely, entirely, fully, for, be, feel, seem, completely, entirely, fully, for, be, feel, seem, completely, entirely, fully, for, be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very, with, be, become, remain, completely, entirely, fully, for, be, directly, ultimately, to | be guilty of a crime, feel guilty, declare guilty |
| Antonyms | irresponsible, careless, negligent | innocent, blameless |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'responsible' with 'responsive', Using 'responsible' without 'for' when describing duties, Incorrectly spelling 'responsible' as 'responsable' | Confusing 'guilty' with 'innocent'., Omitting the article 'the' before 'boy'. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe someone dependable or accountable. Appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, though overly formal in casual conversations. | Use in neutral contexts. Avoid when discussing innocence or legal matters. |
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Frequently asked questions: Responsible vs The boy is guilty
What's the difference between Responsible and The boy is guilty?
Responsible: To be someone who can be trusted to do what is right or take care of something. The boy is guilty: The boy has done something wrong.
Which is more common: Responsible and The boy is guilty?
Responsible is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Responsible: She is very responsible when it comes to her job. The boy is guilty: The teacher said, 'The boy is guilty of cheating on the test.'
Can I use Responsible and The boy is guilty interchangeably?
Not always. Responsible and The boy is guilty are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.