answerable to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "answerable to me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is accountable or responsible to another person. Example: "As the project manager, all team members are answerable to me regarding their progress and deliverables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He's answerable to me.

The Guardian

They're saying, "You are answerable to me".

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Positives of self-funding Not being answerable to any funding body has given me an increased sense of personal responsibility for, and ownership of, my project, enabling me to chart my own course.

The Guardian

Read Dominic's story "Not being answerable to any funding body has given me an increased sense of personal responsibility for, and ownership of, my project, enabling me to chart my own course".

The Guardian

Not answerable to anyone".

The Guardian - Arts

I am answerable to them".

The New York Times

They are answerable to parliament".

The Guardian - Opinion

MPs have to be answerable to us".

The Guardian

We, we are answerable to our citizens".

The Economist

No one was answerable to anyone".

The Guardian - Arts

Departments also became answerable to citizens.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "answerable to me", ensure the context clearly establishes a hierarchical relationship or a defined responsibility. Avoid using it in situations where the accountability is ambiguous.

Common error

Avoid assuming "answerable to me" implies absolute control. It primarily denotes accountability and the requirement to provide justifications, not necessarily the power to dictate every action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "answerable to me" functions as a predicate adjective phrase indicating that someone is accountable or responsible to the speaker. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use in establishing a relationship of accountability. Examples show its usage in contexts where individuals or entities must justify their actions to the speaker.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "answerable to me" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that someone is accountable to the speaker. While relatively rare in overall usage, Ludwig AI confirms that its use is mostly found in news and media contexts. Alternatives like "accountable to me" or "responsible to me" can provide similar meaning in various situations. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the hierarchical relationship or the scope of accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they must answer to me

Inverts the original phrase while retaining the core meaning of needing to provide explanations or justifications.

accountable to me

Replaces "answerable" with "accountable", emphasizing the obligation to report or justify actions.

responsible to me

Substitutes "answerable" with "responsible", highlighting the duty and obligation for actions and decisions.

under my authority

Indicates a direct hierarchical relationship where someone operates within the scope of another's power.

reporting to me

Highlights a reporting structure in an organization or project setting.

subject to my direction

Emphasizes the control and guidance exerted by one person over another's actions.

I hold them accountable

Shifts the focus to the action of holding someone responsible, rather than their inherent state.

I have oversight over them

Implies a supervisory role with the power to review and correct.

within my chain of command

Suggests a formal organizational structure where authority flows downwards.

I am their supervisor

Defines a formal role with responsibility for overseeing the work of others.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "answerable to me" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, use phrases like "accountable to me" or "reporting directly to me". These options are often preferred in professional or academic contexts where a clear hierarchy needs to be established.

What's the difference between "accountable to me" and "answerable to me"?

While similar, "accountable to me" often implies a stricter level of responsibility and potential consequences for not meeting expectations. "Answerable to me" simply suggests the need to provide explanations.

Can "answerable to me" be used in informal settings?

Yes, but use it cautiously. In informal settings, it can come across as overly authoritative. Consider softer alternatives like "keeping me in the loop" or "updating me regularly".

Is "answerable to me" the same as "responsible for me"?

No, "responsible for me" implies that you are in charge of my well-being or actions, while "answerable to me" means you must explain your actions to me. The former suggests a caretaking role, while the latter suggests accountability.