accountable towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accountable towards" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing responsibility or obligation to someone or something, but "accountable to" is more standard. Example: "The manager is accountable towards the board for the project's success."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

On the other hand, the very act of taking part in an election acquires a non-private dimension, such that we should consider ourselves accountable towards our fellow citizens (horizontal accountability).

SEP

We are committed to holding ourselves publicly accountable towards progress in this regard".

TechCrunch

On the social side of things, you can find GymBuddies to keep you accountable towards your goals and participate in fitness challenges.

TechCrunch

And this view according to which we should regard ourselves as horizontally accountable towards those who may be affected by the consequences of our choices clearly supports the case against secret ballots.

SEP

"I want to be fighting for a society accountable towards its citizens".

Huffington Post

Someone who knows the ins and outs and can keep you accountable towards achieving your career goals.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"Is this not an issue for which to hold parliaments accountable?" Progress towards MDGs 4 and 5 – and the status of child and maternal health – were the specific focus of 'Countdown to 2015', a collaborative report, released at the IPU assembly, focusing on the health status of mothers and children in the 68 countries that account for 97 per cent of all child and maternal deaths.

Unicef

"It's a good mechanism for accountability towards the donors, towards the MoPH, towards the institutions, how much this is accountable to the beneficiaries, I don't know".

BMC Health Services Research

(Donor-level 4 ) "It's a good mechanism for accountability towards the donors, towards the MoPH, towards the institutions, how much this is accountable to the beneficiaries, I don't know".

BMC Health Services Research

We are going to search for other ways to shift costs away from overburdened taxpayers and towards accountable parties".

The New York Times

This will involve a discerning commitment to work towards accountable government, sustainable business practices and social justice for impacted stakeholders.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "accountable towards" is understandable, consider using the more common and accepted phrase "accountable to" for clearer and more formal communication. For example, prefer "The project manager is accountable to the stakeholders" over "The project manager is accountable towards the stakeholders".

Common error

Avoid using "accountable towards" when "accountable to" is more appropriate. "Towards" generally indicates a direction, while "to" indicates a direct relationship or responsibility. For example, it's generally incorrect to say "The employee is accountable towards the company" when you mean "The employee is accountable to the company."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accountable towards" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of being responsible or answerable to someone or something. However, as Ludwig AI points out, "accountable to" is more standard.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33.33%

News & Media

33.33%

Formal & Business

8.33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8.33%

Reference

8.33%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "accountable towards" indicates responsibility or obligation, but, as Ludwig AI signals, it is less common and generally less preferred than "accountable to". While grammatically acceptable, "accountable towards" might sound awkward to some native English speakers. So, while it's not incorrect, consider alternatives such as "responsible to" or "answerable to" depending on the context. Always evaluate if "accountable to" might be the better choice for clearer and more effective communication. Usage contexts show it's been used in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business, though sparingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accountable to

More standard and widely accepted alternative.

responsible to

Emphasizes duty and obligation to someone.

answerable to

Highlights the need to explain or justify actions to someone.

liable to

Suggests legal or financial responsibility.

obligated to

Focuses on a moral or legal compulsion.

beholden to

Implies a sense of indebtedness or gratitude.

subject to

Suggests being under the authority or control of someone.

duty-bound to

Highlights a strong sense of moral obligation.

under the control of

Highlights the power dynamic that constraints someone.

at the mercy of

It suggests some weakness or lack of options to address something.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "accountable towards"?

While understandable, "accountable towards" is less common than "accountable to". The latter is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "accountable towards" and "accountable to"?

"Accountable to" indicates a direct relationship of responsibility. "Accountable towards" suggests a direction or orientation, which is less precise and less frequently used.

When should I use "responsible to" instead of "accountable towards"?

Use "responsible to" when emphasizing a duty or obligation to someone. It's a suitable alternative to "accountable to" and often a better choice than "accountable towards".

What are some alternatives to "accountable towards" that I can use in my writing?

Consider using alternatives such as "accountable to", "responsible to", or "answerable to" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.