answerable only to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answerable only to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is accountable or responsible exclusively to a specific person or authority. Example: "As the CEO, she is answerable only to the board of directors for her decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then, for better or worse, you're answerable only to yourself.

The New York Times - Arts

Up to now, RAI has been seen as answerable only to a parliamentary committee.

The Economist

Because they are answerable only to themselves they can take bolder and quicker decisions than politicians.

The Economist

And his voluntary step back, however well intended, suggests he is answerable only to himself.

The New York Times

Mr. Giffen replies that he is answerable only to one person: Mr. Nazarbayev.

The New York Times

His royal error is to believe himself above – way above – the law, answerable only to God.

The Guardian

Its members are appointed by the mayor and answerable only to him.

The New York Times

In her public image she is autonomous, answerable only to herself.

The New York Times

As with all such corporations, then as now, the EIC was answerable only to its shareholders.

The Guardian

Life was given and life was taken away, and we were answerable only to ourselves.

The Guardian - Books

But it cannot be allowed to be answerable only to itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "answerable only to", ensure that the context clearly identifies the specific entity to whom the responsibility is directed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "answerable only to" when there are implicit secondary accountabilities. The phrase suggests a singular, direct line of responsibility, not a primary one among several.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answerable only to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a specific entity to which someone is accountable. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and it is widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "answerable only to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that clearly defines a singular line of accountability. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread application across various domains, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the entity to whom one is "answerable only to" is explicitly stated to avoid any ambiguity. Alternatives like "solely responsible to" or "accountable solely to" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accountable solely to

Emphasizes that accountability is limited to one specific entity.

responsible solely to

Highlights the exclusive responsibility to a single entity.

only accountable to

Rearranges the phrase while maintaining the core meaning of limited accountability.

solely responsible to

Similar to "responsible solely to", stressing the exclusive nature of the responsibility.

exclusively accountable to

Uses "exclusively" to strongly emphasize the single point of accountability.

exclusively responsible to

Highlights the unique responsibility and emphasizes that responsibility is focused to one entity only.

reporting directly to

Focuses on the act of reporting, implying a direct and exclusive reporting line.

under the sole authority of

Emphasizes the singular authority to whom someone is answerable.

subject only to

Indicates being under the control or jurisdiction of a single entity.

beholden only to

Implies a sense of obligation and indebtedness solely to one entity.

FAQs

How do you use "answerable only to" in a sentence?

Use "answerable only to" to indicate that someone or something is responsible or accountable to a single entity. For instance, "The project manager is "answerable only to" the CEO for the project's outcome."

What's the difference between "responsible to" and "answerable only to"?

"Responsible to" suggests a general sense of duty, while ""answerable only to"" specifies a singular, direct line of accountability, excluding other possible responsibilities.

What can I say instead of "answerable only to"?

You can use alternatives like "solely responsible to", "accountable solely to", or "reporting directly to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say someone is "answerable to only one person"?

While understandable, it's more concise and grammatically standard to use ""answerable only to" one person". The "only" should precede "to" for better clarity and flow.