account for

USAGE SUMMARY

"account for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain why something happened or exists. For example, "We need to account for the discrepancy between the two reports."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Account for leap years?

The New York Times

We can't account for that".

The Guardian - Sport

What would account for that?

The New York Times

Can science account for that?

Independent

I couldn't account for them.

The New Yorker

Now they account for 27%.

The Economist

Today they account for half.

The New York Times

I can't account for it".

Independent

Persians account for 51%.

The Guardian

That would account for the additional elbowroom.

The New York Times

Three things account for the increase.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "account for" to mean 'explain', ensure the context clearly indicates what is being explained. For instance, instead of saying 'That accounts for it', specify 'The heavy rain accounts for the flooding'.

Common error

Avoid implying direct causation when only a correlation exists. Saying 'Increased screen time accounts for lower grades' suggests a definitive cause, but it might be one of several contributing factors. A more accurate statement might be 'Increased screen time may be a contributing factor to lower grades'.

How to use

Learn how to use "account for" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "account for" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It is used to explain the reason for something, indicate what something consists of, or denote responsibility, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "account for" is a versatile verb phrase used to explain, constitute, or denote responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news, science, and wiki sources, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. Related phrases include "explain", "constitute", and "be responsible for", each carrying slightly different nuances. When employing "account for", ensure the context clarifies the subject and avoid implying causation without sufficient evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain the reason for

Adding "reason" clarifies the explanatory aspect but makes the phrase more verbose than "account for".

explain

This alternative focuses solely on the act of providing an explanation, omitting the sense of constituting a portion or being responsible.

give a reason for

This option emphasizes the justification or rationale behind something, reducing the sense of numerical proportion or destruction.

provide justification for

This emphasizes the defensive aspect of providing reasons, a nuance not always present in "account for".

constitute

This term centers on forming or composing a part of a whole, overlooking the element of providing an explanation.

make up

This is suitable when referring to proportions, but loses the explanatory aspect.

represent

This phrase focuses on symbolizing or embodying something, differing from providing a detailed explanation or being responsible.

be responsible for

This highlights accountability, missing the explanatory or proportional aspects of "account for".

take into consideration

This emphasizes the need to remember something in your calculation or planning.

deal with

This is suitable when referring to taking action on something, but loses the explanatory aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "account for" to explain something, as in, "The new evidence "accounts for" the suspect's behavior". It can also mean to constitute a portion, such as "Renewable energy sources "account for" 15% of the country's power supply".

What can I say instead of "account for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "explain", "constitute", "be responsible for", or "give a reason for" instead of "account for".

Is it correct to say "factors that account for"?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. The phrase "factors that account for" is commonly used to introduce the reasons or causes behind a particular phenomenon.

What's the difference between ""account for"" and "take into account"?

"Account for" means to explain or provide a reason for something or to constitute a specific proportion of a whole. "Take into account" means to consider something when making a decision or calculation.