accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "accountable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something who is answerable to someone or something else, often for their actions or decisions. For example: "The company held the manager accountable for their mistakes, which led him to resign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I am accountable for the railways and the performance [over Christmas] was not acceptable so I have decided that I should not take my bonus this year," he told Sky News.

The Guardian

A government spokesman told Guardian Australia a strong administration was necessary if APY was to operate as an institution that was effective and accountable to the communities it represented.

The Guardian

Or you are there at the point of sale, which makes you accountable to the customer.

The Guardian

As a sector, we are one of the most transparent, accountable and dare I say most-obsessed with self-improvement.

The Guardian

As Leah Oatway, senior communications officer at Action Against Hunger, says: "We need the media, in its fourth estate role, to share messages on important issues or crises that are under-reported and require international support, to encourage world leaders to make positive commitments to alleviate poverty, and to hold them accountable for those commitments".

The Guardian

It continues into understanding what it means for people to hold their elected representatives accountable according to these new goals.

The Guardian

The Foreign Office said last night the review showed reform was needed to make the EU more accountable.

The Guardian

"I just believe that he should be held accountable for what he's done".

The Guardian

"We jointly and firmly believe that the differences and divisions within unionism of recent years must be put in the past and a determined effort to unite unionism to plot a new peaceful and democratic accountable path for the greater number of people in Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

Cameron will say: "Professionals who fail to protect children will be held properly accountable and council bosses who preside over such catastrophic failure will not see rewards for that failure".

The Guardian

"I am committed to a reform agenda, I believe in a democratic process and a more accountable government," he said then.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning tasks, explicitly state who will be held "accountable" to avoid ambiguity and promote effective delegation.

Common error

While both terms relate to obligations, "responsible" means carrying out a task, while "accountable" means owning the outcome, whether positive or negative. Someone can be responsible without being "accountable", but not vice versa.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "accountable" primarily functions to describe someone or something as being responsible or answerable for their actions or decisions. This indicates a clear line of responsibility and the potential for consequences, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "accountable" signifies responsibility and answerability for actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. The word implies oversight and potential consequences. While synonyms like "responsible" and "answerable" exist, "accountable" specifically emphasizes the ownership of outcomes. Remember to use "accountable" to clearly define who is responsible and understand that being "accountable" goes beyond simply carrying out a task; it means owning the results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held to account

Highlights the act of requiring someone to explain their actions.

responsible

Emphasizes the duty and obligation to fulfill a task or role.

answerable

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

liable

Focuses on legal or financial responsibility for something.

culpable

Implies blameworthiness or guilt for wrongdoing.

chargeable

Suggests that someone can be charged with a crime or fault.

subject to

Indicates being under the authority or control of someone or something.

amenable

Similar to answerable, but suggests a willingness to be held responsible.

within the scope of responsibility

More formal way to say something falls under someone's duty.

under obligation

Indicates a moral or legal requirement to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "accountable" in a sentence?

"Accountable" is typically used to indicate that someone is responsible for the outcome of their actions or decisions. For example, "The manager was held "accountable" for the team's performance".

What is a synonym for "accountable"?

Synonyms for "accountable" include "responsible", "answerable", and "liable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "accountable" and "responsible"?

"Responsible" implies a duty to perform a task, while "accountable" implies ownership of the outcome. You can be responsible for doing something without being "accountable" for its results.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the word "accountable"?

The word "accountable" is best used when you want to emphasize that someone will be held responsible for the results of their actions, especially in situations involving oversight, transparency, and consequences.