accountability

USAGE SUMMARY

"accountability" is a word that is used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone is held responsible for their actions. For example, "The company's policy of accountability ensured that employees would be held responsible for their mistakes".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finance professionals have a huge role to play in governance, accountability, annual reports and keeping accounts that inform public sector funding decisions in the future.

The Guardian

In a 500-page report, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) called for urgent improvements in the accountability of undercover firearms operations after finding that a lack of audio or video material "made it difficult, and on occasions impossible, to know with absolute certainty what happened".

The Guardian

Suspicion is growing that the establishment, including 'securocrats' who want to be free to bug and tap without scrutiny, are intimidating journalists in the hope of evading public accountability.

The Guardian

Macdonald was able to make his decisions behind closed doors, meaning there was no accountability, Ipp said.

The Guardian

David Ford said powers for the head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland to oversee NCA inquiries could be put down in legislation to assuage nationalist parties' concerns over the accountability of the agency's operations there.

The Guardian

I want the new government to focus on one major project at a time to execute, complete and implement for greater accountability and transparency rather than trying to execute multiple projects which are often mismanaged, incomplete and abandoned," she said.

The Guardian

But he singled out no officials for accountability.

The Guardian

Of course, increasing democracy and accountability, and taking on corruption, are absolutely essential.

The Guardian

But it seems that anxiety about the extra financial accountability that academy governors must now accept can have implications for their relationships with the senior management team.

The Guardian

The experts' public report will include recommendations for particularly difficult removal requests (such as criminal convictions); thoughts on the implications of the court's decision for European internet users, news publishers, search engines and others; and procedural steps that could improve accountability and transparency for websites and citizens.

The Guardian - Opinion

The litany of brutality, lawlessness and lack of accountability serves as a reminder of what a horrible decision President Obama made at the outset of his administration to close the books on this chapter in our history, even as he repudiated the use of torture.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about organizational governance, use "accountability" to emphasize the importance of transparent reporting and ethical conduct.

Common error

Avoid using "accountability" solely to assign blame. Instead, focus on establishing systems that promote responsibility and prevent future errors.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "accountability" is as a noun. It refers to the state of being accountable, liable, or responsible. As Ludwig explains, this involves being called upon to render an account for one's actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "accountability" is a noun widely used to denote the state of being responsible and answerable for one's actions or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in diverse contexts, primarily within news and media and formal business settings. While the term is often associated with assigning blame, effective use emphasizes establishing systems promoting responsibility and preventing future errors. Related terms include "responsibility", "liability", and "answerability", each offering nuanced perspectives on the concept of being held to account. The consistent presence of "accountability" across authoritative sources underscores its significance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Responsibility

Focuses on the duty or obligation to fulfill a task or role.

Accountableness

A synonym that also stresses the state of being required to give an account.

Liability

Highlights the legal or financial obligation for actions or debts.

Answerability

Emphasizes the obligation to explain or justify one's actions.

Culpability

Indicates responsibility for a fault or wrong.

Blameworthiness

Focuses on deserving blame for something that went wrong.

Legal obligation

Highlights a legally binding duty.

Moral obligation

Focuses on a duty based on ethical principles.

Duty of care

Emphasizes a legal or ethical responsibility to avoid causing harm.

Oversight

Focuses on the supervisory responsibility to ensure proper conduct or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "accountability" in a sentence?

You can use "accountability" to describe the state of being responsible for something. For example, "The project manager ensured "accountability" by assigning clear roles and responsibilities to each team member".

What's the difference between "responsibility" and "accountability"?

"Responsibility" refers to the duty to perform a task, while "accountability" implies being answerable for the outcome of that task. You can have responsibility without "accountability", but "accountability" always implies responsibility.

What are some related terms to "accountability"?

Related terms include "responsibility", "liability", "answerability", and "culpability", each with slightly different nuances.

Why is "accountability" important in organizations?

"Accountability" is crucial for building trust, ensuring ethical behavior, and promoting effective performance. Without it, organizations risk inefficiency, corruption, and failure.