a liability for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a liability for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or person that poses a risk or disadvantage to someone or something else. Example: "The outdated technology is a liability for the company's competitiveness in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

After the Hindu-Muslim riots a decade ago, he was considered a liability for his political party, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

The New York Times

The Labour leader is a liability for his party.

The Economist

"Does his character pose a liability for the company?

The New York Times

The painting's fame is almost as much a liability for Sotheby's as it is an asset.

The New York Times - Arts

Unlike the NHS, social security for the unemployed has become a liability for social democrats.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most important is Mugabe's age and health, which remain something of a liability for the party.

The Guardian

By implication, he now risks being seen as a liability for his party, the AKP.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rasmussen's unpopularity in the Muslim world may become a liability for Nato.

The Guardian - Opinion

Glibness is a liability for a book that constantly skips among anecdotes.

The New York Times

His relationship with the Rev. Wright is undeniably a liability for his campaign.

The New York Times

Some analysts have suggested that YouTube could turn into a liability for the search company.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a liability for", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is negatively affected. This makes the sentence more precise and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a liability for" when a less severe term like "inconvenience" or "challenge" is more appropriate. "A liability" implies a significant negative impact or risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a liability for" functions as a predicate nominative or complement, defining a subject as posing a disadvantage or risk. Ludwig examples illustrate various subjects deemed as liabilities, from political figures to economic factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a liability for" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something poses a risk or disadvantage. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used across various contexts, with a high frequency in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the entity facing the liability. While alternatives such as "a burden on" or "a disadvantage to" exist, "a liability for" specifically emphasizes the potential for future problems or losses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a burden on

Indicates something that imposes a heavy load or strain, shifting the focus to the weight of the responsibility.

a disadvantage to

Highlights the negative impact or handicap caused by something, focusing on the competitive aspect.

a detriment to

Stresses the damage or harm caused, emphasizing the long-term negative consequences.

an encumbrance to

Suggests something that hinders progress or freedom, implying a restriction.

a hindrance to

Focuses on the obstruction or delay caused, pointing to the obstacle it presents.

a drag on

Emphasizes the slowing effect or reduced performance caused, suggesting a reduction in speed or efficiency.

a millstone around the neck of

Figuratively describes a heavy burden that is very difficult to get rid of, adding a sense of inescapable weight.

a cause of concern for

Indicates something that provokes worry or unease, focusing on the emotional impact.

a source of problems for

Highlights the potential for generating difficulties or challenges, focusing on the resulting issues.

an obstacle for

Highlights the barrier or impediment caused by the subject, focusing on challenges it presents to reaching a goal.

FAQs

How can I use "a liability for" in a sentence?

Use "a liability for" to describe something or someone that creates a disadvantage or risk. For example, "The outdated technology is "a liability for" the company's competitiveness."

What's the difference between "a burden on" and "a liability for"?

"A burden on" implies a heavy load or responsibility, while "a liability for" suggests a risk or disadvantage. A burden is something difficult to bear, while a liability is something that could cause future problems or losses.

What can I say instead of "a liability for"?

You can use alternatives like "a disadvantage to", "a detriment to", or "a hindrance to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "a liability to" someone?

While grammatically understandable, "a liability for" is the more common and idiomatic phrasing. "A liability to" might be seen as less natural in most contexts. The phrase "a liability" is usually followed by the preposition "for".