I am answerable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I am answerable to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to acknowlege someone else's authority or that you are responsible to them for some task. For example, "I am answerable to the board of directors for the success of this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I am answerable to them".

The New York Times

I feel I am answerable to God and to myself and that I should help my community.

The Guardian

"I am answerable to the members in this union and no one else.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He added: "The IOC itself needs dramatic reform so that it is answerable to somebody".

The Guardian - Sport

He is at his best when he writes things like this: "I find comfort in the fact that the longer I'm in politics the less nourishing popularity becomes, that a striving for power and rank and fame seems to betray a poverty of ambition, and that I am answerable mainly to the steady gaze of my own conscience".

The New York Times

I suddenly realised I might be answerable to someone else.

The Guardian - Books

"I allow CHAs to perform some tasks because I know that are answerable to the Health Professional Council of Zambia.

BMC Health Services Research

I don't want to be answerable to someone across the border.

BBC

As I said, whether he gets elected or not, I'm still going to have to be answerable to God November 5 and January 21.

Huffington Post

And I don't fancy the idea of being answerable to anyone," he shrugs, puffing away at his cigar, during a rare interview with Forbes Asia.

Forbes

"Now, I don't know who Alan Hardwick thinks he is answerable to, but the home secretary is a pretty important person in this country".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I am answerable to", clearly specify the person, group, or entity to whom you are responsible to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "I am answerable", specify "I am answerable to the shareholders".

Common error

A common mistake is using "I am answerable" without specifying to whom you are answerable. This can create confusion and weaken your statement. Always clarify your responsibility by stating "I am answerable to [specific entity]"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am answerable to" functions as a statement of accountability. It indicates that the speaker acknowledges a responsibility to explain their actions or decisions to a specific person or entity. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I am answerable to" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express accountability to a person or entity. Ludwig AI highlights its validity. While not the most frequent phrase, it's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. When using it, be specific about to whom you are answerable. Consider alternatives like "I am accountable to" or "I am responsible to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am accountable to

Replaces "answerable" with a synonym, emphasizing responsibility.

I am responsible to

Focuses on the duty to fulfill obligations.

I am obligated to

Highlights a sense of duty or requirement.

I am liable to

Emphasizes legal or formal responsibility.

I am subject to

Indicates being under the authority or control of someone.

I report to

Highlights a hierarchical relationship.

I am under the authority of

Directly states being governed by someone's power.

I am governed by

Implies a system or set of rules that one must follow.

I am controlled by

Indicates a strong influence or power dynamic.

I am at the mercy of

Suggests a lack of control and dependence on another.

FAQs

How can I use "I am answerable to" in a sentence?

Use "I am answerable to" to indicate responsibility or accountability to a person or group. For example, "As CEO, I am answerable to the board of directors for the company's financial performance."

What's a formal alternative to "I am answerable to"?

A formal alternative is "I am accountable to". It carries the same meaning but sounds more professional and suitable for formal settings.

Is there a difference between "I am answerable to" and "I am responsible for"?

"I am answerable to" implies being held accountable by someone, while "I am responsible for" indicates being in charge of something. They are related but not interchangeable; "I am responsible for" can be linked to a thing, "I am answerable to" is always linked to a subject/person.

What does it mean to say someone "is answerable to" another person?

It means that person is required to explain their actions or decisions to the other person and can be held accountable for them.