answerable

USAGE SUMMARY

"answerable" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something or someone who is subject to being answered for a particular action. For example: "The manager is answerable to the board of directors for his decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think he believed he was not answerable to anybody".

The Guardian

Unfortunately (unlike Parliament or the BBC) it is not – yet – answerable for its often pretty abhorrent actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

For the early part of Pink Floyd's career, Thorgerson and Powell – who traded as Hipgnosis – were theoretically answerable to an EMI staff member called Ron Dunton: as Powell later recalled, "this big, jolly fat man who was in charge of the album cover department".

The Guardian - Music

"The ambassador simply maintained that Soviet trade unions were independent and democratic and that the Soviet government was not answerable for their exercise of their rights" to donate to their British comrades.

The Guardian

The municipal commissioner should be answerable to the elected corporate leaders not, illogically, to the state chief minister.

The Guardian

"We will make the people who dig up our roads answerable for their actions," she said.

The Guardian

It would also improve oversight of academies, which are not answerable to councils, by installing regional directors of school standards to ensure they are up to scratch.

The Guardian

"This rally is being organized to remind the mayor and every politician who has a stake in this runoff that they are answerable to the people," the group wrote in a statement.

The Guardian

Each executive is answerable directly to the supervisory board.Although there have been moves in the American direction in some German executive suites, there are powerful opposing forces, as Ulrich Schumacher, the flamboyant, American-style boss of Infineon, a semiconductor firm, found out last week when he was abruptly ousted by his supervisory board.

The Economist

Mr Chávez also created two other instruments of control: a militia of around 125,000, answerable directly to him rather than the army command; and a network of community councils which took over many of the functions (and revenues) of local government.

The Economist

The government, now answerable to Mr Saleh's vice-president, says Zinjibar has fallen to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a shadowy clutch of a few hundred militants who look for inspiration if not for orders to the organisation founded by the late Osama bin Laden.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "answerable", clearly specify to whom or what the subject is accountable to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying 'The department is answerable', specify 'The department is answerable to the board of directors'.

Common error

Avoid using "answerable" without specifying the entity to which someone is accountable. Vague statements like 'They are answerable' can lead to confusion; provide context by stating 'They are answerable to the shareholders'.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "answerable" primarily functions to describe someone or something that is accountable or responsible. It signifies an obligation to explain or justify actions to a specified authority or entity. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "answerable" denotes accountability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "answerable" is a versatile adjective used to denote accountability and responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies an obligation to explain or justify actions to a specific entity. It's frequently found in news, media, and formal business contexts, making it suitable for various communication styles. When using "answerable", ensure you specify to whom or what the subject is accountable to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases such as "accountable to" and "responsible for" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid vague statements; clarity is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accountable to

Focuses specifically on the obligation to justify actions to a particular authority.

responsible for

Highlights the obligation to manage or take care of something.

liable for

Emphasizes legal or financial responsibility for potential damages or issues.

subject to

Indicates being under the control or influence of something.

amenable to

Suggests a willingness to accept or be influenced by something.

responsive to

Highlights the characteristic of reacting quickly and positively to something.

under the jurisdiction of

Specifies being within the legal or authoritative reach of a governing body.

within the purview of

Indicates being included within the scope of authority or responsibility.

comparable to

Emphasizes the similarity or equivalence between two things.

commensurate with

Highlights the proportional relationship between two things, especially in terms of amount or degree.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "answerable" to someone?

Being "answerable" to someone means that you are responsible for your actions and must explain or justify them to that person or entity. It implies accountability and the potential for consequences if your actions are deemed unsatisfactory.

What are some synonyms for "answerable"?

Some synonyms for "answerable" include "accountable to", "responsible for", "liable for", and "subject to", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "answerable" in a sentence?

You can use "answerable" in a sentence like this: "The CEO is answerable to the board of directors for the company's financial performance."

Is "answerable" interchangeable with "responsible"?

While "answerable" and "responsible" are often used interchangeably, "answerable" typically emphasizes the obligation to explain or justify actions, whereas "responsible" highlights the duty to manage or take care of something. Being "accountable to" better highlights the duty to provide an answer.