A single missing letter can turn a perfectly good word into a spelling mistake. If you’ve ever paused over responsibility or responsability, you’re not alone. The two forms look almost identical, but only one is the standard spelling in English.
The correct spelling is responsibility. Responsability is a common misspelling and is not the standard English form.
In this guide, we’ll look at how to spell responsibility right, what the word means, why the mistake happens, and how to spell its plural form, responsibilities, correctly.
Responsibility or Responsability: Which Is Correct?
The correct spelling is:
Responsibility
The incorrect spelling is:
Responsability
The difference is the letter i after the “b”:
- responsibility — correct
- responsability — incorrect
A useful way to remember it is to connect the word with responsible. The noun follows the same spelling pattern:
responsible → responsibility
For example:
Taking care of the project is my responsibility.
Not:
Taking care of the project is my responsability.
How to Spell Responsibility Right
If you’re wondering how to spell responsibility right, break the word into smaller parts rather than trying to memorize all 14 letters at once.
responsibility
You can think of it as:
responsible + ity
The spelling becomes easier when you recognize its relationship to the adjective responsible.
Here are a few related words:
- responsible
- responsibility
- responsibilities
- responsibly
- irresponsible
- irresponsibility
The spelling of the root helps keep the correct i in responsibility.
Why Is “Responsability” a Common Misspelling?
The spelling responsability is easy to produce because English pronunciation doesn’t always make every written vowel obvious.
When people say “responsibility” quickly, the middle syllables can sound compressed. As a result, someone may remember the word as though it were spelled “responsability.”
Another reason is the influence of similar-looking words and spelling patterns. English contains many words in which -able changes to -ability, but the spelling isn’t always intuitive.
The best approach is not to rely entirely on pronunciation. Instead, remember the relationship:
responsible → responsibility
Responsibility Meaning and Usage
Responsibility is a noun that generally refers to a duty, obligation, or task that someone is expected to handle.
It can also refer to being accountable for something or someone.
For example:
- It is my responsibility to finish the report.
- Parents have responsibility for their children’s well-being.
- She accepted responsibility for the mistake.
- Managing the budget is one of his main responsibilities.
The word can describe responsibilities at home, at work, in school, or in society.
Responsibility as a Duty
When responsibility means a duty or task, it describes something you are expected to take care of.
Cleaning the office is part of my responsibility.
Responsibility as Accountability
The word can also describe accountability for an action or outcome.
The manager accepted responsibility for the decision.
In this sense, responsibility is closely connected with words such as accountability, obligation, and duty.
How to Spell Responsibilities Correctly
The plural form is another spelling that often causes confusion.
The correct spelling is:
responsibilities
Not:
responsabilities
The spelling changes when responsibility becomes plural.
A useful pattern is:
responsibility → responsibilities
Notice that the ending changes from -y to -ies.
This is a common English pluralization pattern.
Compare:
- responsibility → responsibilities
- ability → abilities
- possibility → possibilities
- activity → activities
- opportunity → opportunities
So if you’re searching for how to spell responsibilities correctly, remember this simple rule:
When a noun ending in a consonant + y becomes plural, the y usually changes to ies.
Responsibility vs Responsibilities
Although the two words are closely related, they are used differently.
Responsibility is singular.
This is my responsibility.
Responsibilities is plural.
I have several responsibilities at work.
Use responsibility when referring to one duty or the general concept of being accountable.
Use responsibilities when referring to multiple duties or obligations.
Examples
Singular:
It is your responsibility to lock the door.
Plural:
Her responsibilities include answering calls, preparing reports, and managing schedules.
Responsibility in a Sentence
Seeing the word in context can make the spelling easier to remember.
Here are some natural examples:
- Everyone has a responsibility to follow the rules.
- He took responsibility for the error.
- It is my responsibility to complete the assignment.
- Parents have many responsibilities.
- She handled her responsibilities professionally.
- The company accepted responsibility for the problem.
Notice that responsibility always contains the i after the “b.”
How to Remember the Correct Spelling
If you frequently write responsability by mistake, try a simple memory trick.
Think “responsible + ity”
Start with:
responsible
Then add:
-ity
This gives you:
responsible + ity = responsibility
Another useful approach is to remember the middle sequence:
…sibili…
So the word is:
respon-si-bil-i-ty
Rather than trying to memorize the entire word visually, focus on the spelling pattern.
Common Mistakes With Responsibility
Here are some forms you may see, along with whether they’re correct.
| Spelling | Correct? |
| responsibility | Yes |
| responsability | No |
| responsibilities | Yes |
| responsabilities | No |
| responsible | Yes |
| responsibly | Yes |
The most common mistake is replacing the i in responsibility with an a.
Responsibility vs Responsability in American and British English
Unlike some English spelling differences, this isn’t a case where American and British English use different forms.
Responsibility is the standard spelling in both varieties.
So whether you’re writing for:
- American English
- British English
- Canadian English
- Australian English
the standard spelling is responsibility.
Responsability is not an accepted alternative spelling simply because of regional English differences.
How to Spell Responsibility: A Quick Check
When you’re unsure, use this three-step method:
- Write responsible.
- Add -ity.
- Check that the middle of the word contains -sibility-.
The result is:
responsibility
If you see responsability, you’ve accidentally dropped the i.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is responsibility or responsability correct?
Responsibility is correct. Responsability is a common misspelling and is not the standard English spelling.
How do you spell responsibility?
The correct spelling is responsibility.
A useful way to remember it is responsible + ity = responsibility.
How do you spell responsibility right?
Spell it responsibility, with an i after the “b.” The spelling responsability is incorrect.
How do you spell responsibilities correctly?
The correct plural spelling is responsibilities. Change the final y in responsibility to ies when making it plural.
Is responsability a word?
You may encounter responsability in informal writing, but it is generally considered a misspelling of the standard English word responsibility.
What is the meaning of responsibility?
Responsibility means a duty, obligation, or accountability for something. For example, completing a particular task may be someone’s responsibility.
What is the plural of responsibility?
The plural is responsibilities.
For example:
My responsibilities include managing the team and preparing reports.
Is responsibility spelled differently in British English?
No. Responsibility is the standard spelling in both British and American English.
Conclusion: Responsibility or Responsability?
When choosing between responsibility or responsability, the answer is straightforward: responsibility is the correct spelling.
Remember the connection between responsible and responsibility, and you’ll have an easy way to avoid the common mistake. If you’re writing the plural, use responsibilities, not “responsabilities.”
So the next time you’re unsure how to spell responsibility right, keep the i in the middle:
responsibility
Correct spelling makes your writing clearer and more professional, especially in school assignments, business documents, applications, and everyday communication.
