answerable to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answerable to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is accountable or obligated to respond to another person, often in a professional or hierarchical context. Example: "As the project manager, she is answerable to him for the team's performance and progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Anyone who steps out of line is answerable to him alone".

The Guardian - Sport

The panel will be answerable to him, not to the ambassadors.

The New York Times

Soriano said he might ultimately retain responsibility for both clubs, with a New York City chief executive answerable to him.

Independent

The old Board of Education was disbanded, replaced by a new Department of Education, answerable to him.

The New York Times

For his part, Mr Ghani's powers under the constitution will remain and the new chief executive will be answerable to him.

The Economist

That a temperamentally atypical lineman like Richie Incognito was the leader of his room would have meant that young Jonathan Martin was answerable to him just about all the time.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I am answerable to them".

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

He was the first chancellor appointed by the mayor and, as such, was answerable only to him, which gave him power and security.

The New York Times

After purging the armed forces of all those suspected of disloyalty to the leader, he obliged officers and troops to adopt the Cuban-inspired slogan "socialist motherland or death", and created a militia answerable only to him.

The Guardian

Newspapers and television networks have focused heavily on the claim that prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, directed a counter-terrorism unit answerable only to him, which targeted predominantly Sunni areas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "answerable to him" when emphasizing a direct line of accountability or responsibility to a specific individual, particularly in hierarchical or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "answerable to him" in casual conversations or informal settings where the relationship doesn't imply a formal obligation. Opt for simpler phrases like "responsible to him" or "he listens to him" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answerable to him" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is responsible to and must justify actions to a specific person. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "answerable to him" is a grammatically sound expression that denotes accountability and responsibility to a specific individual. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is correct and suitable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase is useful for establishing hierarchical relationships and clarifying reporting structures. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific context to ensure the correct nuance; for instance, "accountable to him" and "responsible to him" are direct synonyms, while "subject to his authority" emphasizes power dynamics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accountable to him

Replaces "answerable" with its direct synonym "accountable", emphasizing the obligation to justify actions.

responsible to him

Substitutes "answerable" with "responsible", highlighting the duty to fulfill obligations.

subject to his authority

Replaces the whole phrase, focusing on the power dynamic and subordination.

under his jurisdiction

Indicates that someone falls within his legal or official control.

reports to him

Highlights a hierarchical relationship where someone is required to give progress updates.

takes direction from him

Focuses on the act of receiving and following instructions.

owes an explanation to him

Emphasizes the obligation to provide justification or reasons for actions.

liable to him

Indicates a legal or contractual obligation.

at his command

Highlights complete obedience and readiness to follow orders.

is at his disposal

Highlights availability and readiness to serve his needs.

FAQs

How can I use "answerable to him" in a sentence?

The phrase "answerable to him" indicates that someone is accountable to another person. For example, "The project manager is "answerable to him" for the project's success."

What does "answerable to him" mean?

It means that someone is responsible for their actions and must justify them to another person. They are obligated to explain or defend their decisions to that individual.

Which is more formal, "accountable to him" or ""answerable to him""?

Both "accountable to him" and ""answerable to him"" are quite formal and interchangeable, but "accountable" may have a slightly stronger emphasis on the obligation to provide justifications.

What are some alternatives to "answerable to him"?

Alternatives include "responsible to him", "subject to his authority", or "reports to him", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.