English grammar
Whose job is it? It's up to you, it's down to you, be responsible for
Argue about whose job or bill something is: it's up to you, it's down to you, be responsible for.
From the scene It's up to the landlord
In short
Say whose job or bill it is with it's up to you or it's down to you. Contracts say be responsible for.
Your turn
Which one goes with your job (informal, British)?
Options: half the rail is down to you · it's up to you · the owner is responsible for basic repairs
Show answer
your job (informal, British) → half the rail is down to you
How it works
It's up to you means it is your job or your decision. It's down to you says the same about a task or a bill, and sounds informal and British.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
The damp is the responsibility (blank) the tenant on the third floor: she hangs her washing indoors.
Options: of · to · at
Show answer
The damp is the responsibility of the tenant on the third floor: she hangs her washing indoors.
La humedad es cosa de la inquilina del tercero: tiende la ropa dentro.
Good to know
Be responsible for + noun or -ing is the formal version, used in contracts: the owner is responsible for basic repairs.
Good to know
The noun is responsibility: it's the landlord's responsibility.
your job or decision it's up to you
Nuria
Keeping it in proper condition is the landlord's responsibility: it's up to you.
Mantenerla en estado adecuado es responsabilidad del casero: le corresponde a usted.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Keeping it in proper condition is the landlord's responsibility: (blank).
Options: it's up to you · half the rail is down to you · the owner is responsible for basic repairs
Show answer
Nuria
Keeping it in proper condition is the landlord's responsibility: it's up to you.
Mantenerla en estado adecuado es responsabilidad del casero: le corresponde a usted.
your job (informal, British) half the rail is down to you
Ramón
You climb four floors, so half the rail is down to you.
Subís cuatro pisos: os toca pagar la mitad de la barandilla.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
You climb four floors, so (blank).
Options: half the rail is down to you · it's up to you · the owner is responsible for basic repairs
Show answer
Ramón
You climb four floors, so half the rail is down to you.
Subís cuatro pisos: os toca pagar la mitad de la barandilla.
formal, as in a contract the owner is responsible for basic repairs
Nuria
The lease guarantees that the owner is responsible for basic repairs.
El contrato garantiza que las reparaciones básicas corren a cargo del propietario.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
The lease guarantees that (blank).
Options: half the rail is down to you · the owner is responsible for basic repairs · it's up to you
Show answer
Nuria
The lease guarantees that the owner is responsible for basic repairs.
El contrato garantiza que las reparaciones básicas corren a cargo del propietario.
the noun the landlord's responsibility
Nuria
Keeping it in proper condition is the landlord's responsibility: it's up to you.
Mantenerla en estado adecuado es responsabilidad del casero: le corresponde a usted.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Keeping it in proper condition is (blank): it's up to you.
Options: the landlord's responsibility · half the rail is down to you · the owner is responsible for basic repairs
Show answer
Nuria
Keeping it in proper condition is the landlord's responsibility: it's up to you.
Mantenerla en estado adecuado es responsabilidad del casero: le corresponde a usted.
I'll deal with it I'll handle that myself
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| your job or decision | it's up to you |
|---|---|
| your job (informal, British) | half the rail is down to you |
| formal, as in a contract | the owner is responsible for basic repairs |
| the noun | the landlord's responsibility |
| I'll deal with it | I'll handle that myself |
More lines from the story
- RamónThe damp is the responsibility of the tenant on the third floor: she hangs her washing indoors.La humedad es cosa de la inquilina del tercero: tiende la ropa dentro.
- RamónThat's up to the electricity company.Eso le corresponde a la compañía eléctrica.
- JaviIt's very useful! Broken, it prevents Doña Elena from going down.¡Es muy útil! Rota, impide que Doña Elena baje.