be accounted for

USAGE SUMMARY

"be accounted for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to things (e.g. money, objects, etc.) that need to be identified and explained. For example: All expenses must be accounted for.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But these can be accounted for statistically.

The Economist

"It cannot be accounted for rationally".

The New Yorker

Guns will be accounted for more strictly.

The Economist

Much of it cannot be accounted for.

The New York Times

How should consumer safety be accounted for?

The New York Times

Hopefully everything will be accounted for.

The New York Times

"Things happened that couldn't be accounted for.

The New York Times - Sports

Those men cannot be accounted for.

The New York Times

Double accounting can not be accounted for.

The Guardian

It has to be accounted for".

The New York Times

It tells you how it can be accounted for.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be accounted for", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be explained or tracked. For example, "All financial transactions must be accounted for" clarifies that financial transactions are the subject of accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "be accounted for" in contexts where a simple explanation suffices. Instead of saying "His success must be accounted for", consider using "His success can be attributed to hard work" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be accounted for" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something requires explanation, justification, or tracking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct expression used to denote that items, often tangible, must be identified and rationalized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be accounted for" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that something needs to be explained, justified, or tracked. According to Ludwig AI, it is particularly useful when referring to items that must be identified and their presence or absence rationalized. As shown by Ludwig, it is frequently employed in science, news, and formal business settings, emphasizing the need for transparency and responsibility. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what requires accounting, and avoid overusing the phrase in contexts where simpler language would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be explained

Focuses on providing an explanation for something.

be clarified

Stresses the need for making something clear and understandable.

be justified

Emphasizes the need for providing a valid reason or justification.

be detailed

Highlights the importance of providing comprehensive information.

be tracked

Highlights the process of monitoring and recording something.

be itemized

Focuses on listing individual items or components.

be recorded

Focuses on the act of documenting or registering something.

be calculated

Emphasizes the mathematical computation of something.

be registered

Implies a formal process of recording or listing something.

be audited

Implies a formal examination of records or accounts.

FAQs

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

"Be accounted for" is used to indicate that something needs to be explained, tracked, or justified. For example, "All expenses must "be accounted for" in the budget report."

What's the difference between "be accounted for" and "be explained"?

"Be accounted for" typically implies a need for tracking or justifying something, especially in financial or logistical contexts. "Be explained" simply means something needs clarification or understanding, without necessarily implying accountability.

Are there situations when I shouldn't use "be accounted for"?

Yes, avoid using "be accounted for" when a simpler term like "be explained" or "be justified" is more appropriate. Overusing "be accounted for" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "be accounted for"?

Similar phrases include "be explained", "be justified", or "be tracked". The best alternative depends on the specific context and what aspect of accountability you want to emphasize.