accountable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accountable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is responsible for their actions and must explain or justify them to someone else. Example: "As a manager, I am accountable to my team for the decisions I make and the direction we take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They're accountable to their shareholders".

The New York Times

Who is it accountable to?

The New York Times

We are accountable to that.

The New York Times

Accountable to whom?

The New York Times - Sports

I'm accountable to you".

The Guardian

Regulators are accountable to taxpayers at home.

The Economist

Heads are accountable to everybody, he says.

The Economist

"She is accountable to we the people".

The New York Times

"Being accountable to your teammates," Richardson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Politicians have to be accountable to us".

The New York Times

They, at least, are accountable to voters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context supports the idea of being answerable or responsible to a higher authority or standard. "Accountable to" implies an obligation, not just a suggestion.

Common error

Avoid using "accountable to" when you simply mean someone is to blame. Accountability involves a process of explanation and potential consequences, not just assigning fault.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accountable to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a relationship of responsibility or obligation. It specifies that an individual or entity is answerable for their actions or decisions to someone else. As Ludwig highlights, this suggests a formal obligation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accountable to" is a very common prepositional phrase used to indicate responsibility and the obligation to justify actions to a higher authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in science and formal business settings. When using "accountable to", ensure clarity by specifying who is responsible and to whom they are answerable. Be mindful of not confusing accountability with simple blame. Related phrases include "responsible for" and "answerable to", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held responsible by

Focuses on the action of someone assigning accountability.

responsible for

Focuses on the duty of handling something or someone.

answerable for

Emphasizes the need to explain or justify actions.

owes an explanation to

Specifically denotes a requirement to provide reasons or justifications.

liable for

Highlights legal or financial responsibility.

subject to

Indicates being under the authority or control of someone.

under the authority of

Specifies a hierarchical relationship of oversight.

owe allegiance to

Implies a duty of loyalty and support.

bound by duty to

Emphasizes moral or ethical obligation.

at the mercy of

Highlights a state of dependence and vulnerability.

FAQs

What does "accountable to" mean?

The phrase "accountable to" means being required to explain or justify actions or decisions to someone. It implies responsibility and the potential for consequences if obligations aren't met.

How do I use "accountable to" in a sentence?

Use "accountable to" to show someone is responsible for their actions to a higher authority or standard. For example, "The CEO is "responsible to" the board of directors".

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

"Accountable to" implies a duty to explain and justify actions to a specific entity. "Responsible for" focuses on the task or duty being managed.

What can I say instead of "accountable to"?

You can use alternatives like "answerable to", "liable to", or "subject to", depending on the context.