accounting for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accounting for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you are taking something into consideration or including it in your thoughts, calculations, or plans. For example: "Accounting for both the cost of the venue and our budget, we decided to plan an outdoor wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no accounting for it.

The New Yorker

There's neigh accounting for that.

The Guardian

There's no accounting for taste.

The Economist

"There is no accounting for taste".

The New York Times

Few are used to accounting for themselves.

The Economist

But accounting for inflation is even harder.

The Economist

It questioned MicroStrategy's accounting for three contracts.

The New York Times

There's no accounting for a politician's ego.

The Guardian

There's no accounting for (bad) taste.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There's no accounting for talent like this.

The New Yorker

There is no accounting for impact.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accounting for", ensure that the factor being accounted for is clearly stated and its impact on the overall situation is understood. For example, "Accounting for inflation, the cost of living has increased significantly."

Common error

Avoid using "accounting for" when simply describing something without indicating how it impacts a larger calculation or situation. Saying "The report is accounting for all expenses" is vague. Instead, specify what aspect of the expenses is being considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accounting for" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that something is being considered or included in a calculation or explanation. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "accounting for" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is being considered or included in a calculation or explanation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions to provide context, justification, or clarification across a variety of registers, but is particularly common in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When employing the phrase, ensure you clearly articulate the factor being accounted for and its impact on the situation. Remember to avoid using it vaguely without specifying the aspect being considered. Consider alternatives like "taking into account" for more general considerations or "being responsible for" when indicating accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking into consideration

Focuses on the act of considering something when making a decision or assessment.

taking into account

Similar to "taking into consideration", but slightly more formal.

factoring in

Suggests including something as a significant element in a calculation or plan.

making allowances for

Emphasizes making exceptions or adjustments to accommodate certain factors.

giving consideration to

Highlights the process of thoughtfully considering something.

providing an explanation for

Highlights the act of giving a detailed account or reason.

explaining

Focuses on providing a reason or justification for something.

justifying

Emphasizes providing a strong rationale or defense for something.

attributing to

Focuses on assigning a cause or origin to something.

being responsible for

Indicates accountability and obligation for something.

FAQs

How can I use "accounting for" in a sentence?

You can use "accounting for" to show that something is being taken into consideration. For example, "Accounting for the weather conditions, the hike took longer than expected."

What's the difference between "taking into account" and "accounting for"?

While both phrases imply consideration, "accounting for" often suggests a more detailed or formal inclusion of something in a calculation or explanation, whereas "taking into account" is a more general expression of consideration.

What can I say instead of "accounting for" when discussing responsibility?

When indicating responsibility, alternatives to "accounting for" include "being responsible for", "answering for", or "held accountable for", depending on the context.

Is "accounting for" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "accounting for" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in business, academic, and scientific contexts where precise and thorough explanations are necessary. It conveys a sense of careful consideration and detailed inclusion.