Account for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Account for something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when explaining the reasons or causes behind a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The researchers had to account for the variables that could affect the results of their experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Can myelination really account for something as seemingly (and delightfully) mysterious as humor, as being funny?

The New York Times

"Heritage should account for something," said James J. Rhoades, a Republican state senator from Schuylkill County.

The New York Times

Most of its troubles can be explained by declining sales and prices of LCDs and LCD televisions, which account for something like 40% of its revenue.

The Economist

We found that coaches across basketball, football, baseball, and hockey account for something like 20-3020-30%he variation in their team's success.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

(Freud sought "to account for — something starkly pertinent for the Jews of Freud's generation — what one makes of what one is forced by").

The New Yorker

Bearing in mind the cost, can you even say that any of them have done so?The great virtue of the single bottom line is that it holds managers to account for something.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

South Asia accounts for something over two-fifths of the world's hungry.

The Economist

At the moment OPEC accounts for something like 80 per cent of proven oil reserves and about 40 per cent of production.

Independent

I estimate that Canada accounts for something like 45 percent of the N.H.L. interest between the two countries.

The New York Times

But remember that if you withdraw money from these accounts for something other than education, there may be penalties and fees.

The New York Times

Things we learned about emojis: The most popular is the tears of laughter emoji by some way, accounting for something like 20% of all emoji use.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "account for something" when you want to emphasize that a particular factor or element is important in understanding a situation or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "account for something" when there's no clear causal link. Ensure that the factor you're highlighting genuinely contributes to or explains the situation, rather than being merely correlated or coincidental.

Linguistic Context

"Account for something" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the role of a factor in explaining or influencing a particular situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Account for something" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to highlight the importance of particular factors in explaining or influencing outcomes. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various domains like news, academia, and science. While alternatives like "explain something" or "justify something" exist, "account for something" emphasizes the role and significance of specific elements in contributing to a certain result. When using this phrase, ensure that a clear causal link exists and that the highlighted factors genuinely contribute to the situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Explain something

Focuses on providing clarity or understanding about a particular subject.

Give an explanation for something

More verbose, highlighting the act of providing a detailed account.

Justify something

Highlights the act of demonstrating or proving something to be right or reasonable.

Provide a reason for something

Focuses on the rationale or cause behind an action or event.

Represent something

Emphasizes symbolizing or embodying a particular idea, quality, or quantity.

Clarify something

Emphasizes making something easier to understand by removing ambiguity.

Constitute something

Indicates forming or composing a part of a whole.

Comprise something

Similar to 'constitute', but often refers to the elements included or contained within a whole.

Illustrate something

Highlights providing an example or visual aid to better convey the meaning.

Be responsible for something

Places emphasis on direct causation or accountability for an event or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "Account for something" in a sentence?

Use "Account for something" to highlight the importance of a particular factor in explaining a situation. For example, "The new regulations "account for something" significant in the economic forecast."

What's a simpler way to say "Account for something"?

Simpler alternatives include "explain", "justify", or "represent". Each has its own nuance, but they can often be used in place of "account for" depending on the specific context.

How does "Account for something" differ from "explain something"?

"Explain something" focuses on providing clarity, whereas "Account for something" emphasizes the importance or contribution of a particular factor or element. "Explain something" implies a more detailed or comprehensive understanding.

When is it appropriate to use "Account for something" in formal writing?

It's suitable when discussing factors that have a direct and considerable impact on a situation or outcome. For instance, in research, you might state, "These variables "account for something" of the variance in the results."