account for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "account for something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the explanation or justification for a particular situation or outcome. Example: "The study aims to account for the discrepancies in the data collected from different sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

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

When using "account for something", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are explaining a cause, justifying an action, or calculating a proportion. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "account for something" when a simple description or summary is needed. This phrase implies a more in-depth explanation or justification, so ensure your context warrants that level of analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "account for something" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It signifies providing an explanation or justification for a particular phenomenon, action, or quantity. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "account for something" is a versatile verb phrase used to provide explanations, justifications, or proportions. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When writing, consider alternative phrases like "explain something" or "justify something" to add nuance. Remember that while the phrase is generally neutral, it's crucial to use it when a deeper explanation or justification is warranted, avoiding over-explanation. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

explain something

Focuses on providing a reason or clarification.

provide an explanation for something

A more formal way of expressing "explain something".

justify something

Emphasizes providing a valid reason or defense for something.

give a reason for something

Directly expresses the act of providing an explanation.

clarify something

Focuses on making something clearer or easier to understand.

offer an account of something

Similar to providing an explanation but often more detailed.

be responsible for something

Highlights the aspect of being the cause or origin of something.

constitute something

Highlights the act of forming or composing something.

illuminate something

Emphasizes providing insight or understanding to something.

add up to something

Highlights the cumulative effect or result.

FAQs

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

Use "account for something" to explain why something happened, justify an action, or specify a proportion. For example, "The new policy aims to "account for something" unexpected."

What can I say instead of "account for something"?

You can use alternatives like "explain something", "justify something", or "be responsible for something", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "accounts for something" instead of "account for something"?

Yes, "accounts for something" is correct when the subject is singular. For example, "This factor "accounts for something" significant."

What's the difference between "account for something" and "responsible for something"?

"Account for something" usually implies providing an explanation or justification, while "responsible for something" implies causation or obligation. It is an aspect of being the cause or origin of something.