accountable to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accountable to me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone is responsible for their actions or decisions to you, often in a professional or supervisory context. Example: "As the project manager, I expect my team members to be accountable to me for their progress and deliverables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In a statement, Mr. Rowland said: "As is the case with all appointees, Commissioner Anson is accountable to me.

The New York Times

And it's hard for me; I am not her manager and she is not accountable to me.

The Guardian

If it was clear that Andrea was accountable to me for her actions, and there were channels for our communication, the problems I am having with her could have been dealt with or passed to my line manager much earlier on.

The Guardian

I was only accountable to me and honestly, that was a first and it was a little scary and a lot of fun.

Huffington Post

The only questions your accountability partner or group should ask are "What will you do?" and "By when will you do it?" says Klauser. "I'm here so you can be accountable to me, but I'm not here to judge you and say, 'Well, you should have done this by now," she explained.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I know that Walmart can do better and my hope was that this resolution would help hold them accountable to women like me who work in their stores," she said.

The Guardian - Business

Yes, Valentine's Day coincidentally falls during this month of deprivation, coined #FrugalFebruary, but given my love of the phrase "shots for everyone, on me!" I considered having someone to hold me accountable to this plan to be special enough.

Huffington Post

When challenged on adultery, the accused say, 'Who is it that is holding me accountable to this standard?

The New Yorker

Those Saturday morning activities I'd imagined enjoying feel pointless without a partner to do them with, or hold me accountable to.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, for all his freedom to speak his mind now that he is no longer accountable to shareholders, he struck me as being still, in many ways, a walking vault of confidential information.

The New Yorker

"So what I'm asking you for now is to refuse pessimism about our kids, to hold me accountable, to keep this conversation about student achievement going, to sign up — got to slip a plug in here — to be a mentor for one of the Manual students".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accountable to me" to clearly establish a relationship of responsibility, where the person is expected to answer for their actions or performance. This is especially effective in professional settings or when delegating tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "accountable to me" when you simply mean someone should be generally responsible. Accountability implies a specific, defined obligation to report or answer for something to you, not just a general sense of duty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accountable to me" functions primarily as a predicate adjective describing a relationship of responsibility. It signifies that an individual or entity is required to answer for their actions or decisions to the speaker. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accountable to me" is used to indicate a direct line of responsibility and the expectation of being able to justify one's actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound, although relatively rare in general usage. The phrase primarily appears in news and media contexts, often denoting professional relationships where someone is expected to answer for their performance. While alternatives like "responsible to me" or "answerable to me" exist, "accountable to me" emphasizes the obligation to provide a detailed explanation of one's actions or outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsible to me

Indicates a direct obligation to report or answer to someone.

answerable to me

Implies a duty to explain or justify one's actions to someone.

under my authority

Highlights a hierarchical structure where one is subject to someone's control.

subject to my oversight

Focuses on the supervision and review aspect of the relationship.

reporting to me

Specifies a formal reporting structure within an organization.

my responsibility

Shifts the focus to the speaker's obligation to oversee or manage someone.

I hold them responsible

Emphasizes the act of assigning responsibility by the speaker.

I oversee their work

Highlights the supervisory role of the speaker.

I'm in charge of them

Indicates a position of leadership or control.

they are under my control

Suggests a direct power dynamic and influence.

FAQs

What does it mean for someone to be "accountable to me"?

It means that they are responsible for their actions or decisions in relation to you and are expected to explain or justify them if necessary. This often implies a supervisory or management relationship.

What are some alternatives to saying "accountable to me"?

You could use phrases like "responsible to me", "answerable to me", or "reporting to me", depending on the specific context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "accountable to me"?

It's appropriate in situations where you have a supervisory role, such as a manager to an employee, a project lead to a team member, or any situation where you need to ensure someone is taking ownership of their work and can explain their results.

Is there a difference between being "accountable to me" and being "responsible to me"?

While similar, "accountable to me" often implies a stronger sense of obligation to explain and justify actions, whereas "responsible to me" may simply mean being in charge of something. Accountability includes the expectation of giving an account of one's actions.