be accountable for

USAGE SUMMARY

"be accountable for" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: The CEO is accountable for the company's financial success.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You should be accountable for your actions.

The New York Times

Be accountable for cyber risk.

Harvard Business Review

4. Be accountable for your changes.

Harvard University

They need to be accountable for this".

The Guardian

You have to be accountable for your actions.

The New York Times

People will have to be accountable for their actions.

Independent

You have to make decisions and be accountable for them".

The New York Times - Sports

"Precinct commanders had to be accountable for an explanation".

The New York Times

Each will also be accountable for its own bottom line.

The New York Times

"Our team has to be accountable for our mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

The west should be accountable for all this misery".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that individuals or entities have the necessary resources and authority to meet the responsibilities they are held accountable for.

Common error

Avoid assigning overlapping responsibilities where multiple parties are accountable for the same outcome. This can lead to confusion and diffusion of accountability. Instead, clearly delineate roles and responsibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be accountable for" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the state of being responsible or answerable for certain actions, decisions, or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

17%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be accountable for" is a common and grammatically sound way to assign responsibility, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in news articles, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the specific responsibilities and avoid overlapping assignments. Alternatives such as "be responsible for" or "be answerable for" can be used, each carrying slight differences in nuance. Remember to match the register to your audience, although this phrase is appropriate across a wide range of professional and neutral communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be responsible for

Replaces "accountable" with "responsible", focusing on duty and obligation.

be answerable for

Focuses on the need to explain or justify actions.

be held liable for

Emphasizes the legal or formal aspect of responsibility.

bear the responsibility for

More formal and emphasizes the weight of the responsibility.

be liable for

Indicates a legal obligation to compensate for damages or loss.

take ownership of

Highlights the act of claiming responsibility and control.

be subject to

Suggests exposure to potential consequences for actions.

be in charge of

Highlights the managerial aspect of overseeing and being responsible.

own up to

An informal way of saying to admit responsibility.

face the consequences of

Focuses on accepting the results of one's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "be accountable for" in a sentence?

You can use "be accountable for" to indicate responsibility for actions or outcomes. For example, "The project manager will "be accountable for" delivering the project on time and within budget".

What phrases are similar to "be accountable for"?

Similar phrases include "be responsible for", "be held liable for", and "be answerable for". Each carries a slightly different nuance relating to the type and extent of responsibility.

Which is correct, "be accountable for" or "being accountable for"?

"Be accountable for" is typically used as an infinitive or imperative, while "being accountable for" is used as a gerund or part of a continuous verb tense. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence.

What's the difference between "be accountable for" and "be responsible for"?

While both phrases imply responsibility, "be accountable for" often suggests a more formal or structured system of oversight and consequences, whereas "be responsible for" can be a broader, less formal assignment of duty.