be accountable to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be accountable to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means being responsible for one's actions and being answerable to someone or something. Some examples of using "be accountable to" in a sentence are: - As a CEO, I am accountable to the board of directors for the company's performance. - Teachers should be accountable to their students' parents for providing a quality education. - It is important for government officials to be accountable to the citizens they serve. - Employees must be accountable to their supervisors for completing their tasks on time. - As a member of this team, I am accountable to my colleagues for my contributions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Not only was there no accountability, Mr. Brill said, they had nothing to be accountable to.

The New York Times

Politicians have to be accountable to us".

The New York Times

We want to be accountable to ourselves".

The New York Times

The trustees should be accountable to them.

The Guardian - Arts

"Police should be accountable to the people they serve.

The New York Times

"Our leaders must be accountable to the people.

The New York Times

All publicly funded institutions should be accountable to someone local.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Being a pastor doesn't mean you are not accountable – you should be accountable to your church and you should be accountable to a group of ministers.

The Guardian

IT IS the hot new idea: local services ought to be accountable to local people.

The Economist

The mayor would not be accountable to an elected assembly, like Johnson in London.

The Guardian

"They don't think they have to be accountable to the public".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be accountable to" when emphasizing a formal or expected responsibility rather than a general sense of obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "be accountable to" when describing a general influence. Instead, reserve it for situations where there's a direct reporting line or expectation of answerability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be accountable to" functions as a verb phrase indicating responsibility and answerability. It specifies that an individual or entity is required to justify their actions or decisions to a higher authority or stakeholder. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be accountable to" is a commonly used phrase that signifies a responsibility to answer to someone for one's actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in contexts ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. The phrase implies a structured relationship where one party is expected to justify their conduct to another. When using "be accountable to", clarity is key: specify who is accountable and to whom to ensure there's no ambiguity. While related phrases like ""be responsible to"" and ""be answerable to"" offer similar meanings, "be accountable to" often suggests a more formal or structured oversight. Remember that the opposite of "be accountable to" is not having anyone to answer to, often implying a lack of oversight or responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be responsible to

Direct synonym, emphasizes the obligation to fulfill duties towards someone.

be answerable to

Implies a need to explain one's actions or decisions to someone in authority.

take responsibility for

Emphasizes the act of accepting accountability for actions or decisions.

be liable to

Focuses on legal or financial responsibility for something.

be held responsible by

Highlights the aspect of someone holding you responsible.

be subject to

Suggests being under the authority or control of someone.

report to

Emphasizes the hierarchical aspect of accountability, often in a work context.

be duty-bound to

Suggests a moral or ethical obligation to act in a certain way.

owe allegiance to

Highlights a sense of loyalty and commitment to someone or something.

be in charge of

Focuses on the role of leadership and control, implying accountability for outcomes.

FAQs

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

You can use "be accountable to" to show that someone is responsible for their actions and must answer to someone else. For example, "The CEO must "be accountable to" the board of directors."

What are some alternatives to "be accountable to"?

Alternatives include "be responsible to", "be answerable to", or "be liable to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "be accountability to" instead of "be accountable to"?

No, "be accountability to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""be accountable to"", where "accountable" is an adjective describing the state of being responsible.

What is the difference between "be accountable to" and "be responsible for"?

"Be accountable to" implies a direct reporting relationship or obligation to answer for one's actions to someone else. "Be responsible for" simply means having a duty or task to perform. You can "be responsible for" something without being accountable to someone.