be answerable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be answerable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing accountability or responsibility for actions or decisions. Example: "As the project manager, I will be answerable for the success of the project and its outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The question of what is the optimal executive leadership structure is one the board must answer and be answerable for (though many of the following examples took place before the boardroom had the significance it has today); a director could not find a better starting place from which to view the issue than by looking at the following examples of tandem business success.

Forbes

"Somebody has got to be answerable for this," he said.

The Guardian

Directors and senior executives must be answerable for what goes on in their organizations.

The New York Times

Politicians have to be answerable for failure in ways that autocrats are not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Basquiat's humor shares with Rimbaud's a particular, visionary wisdom: that of the world surveyed by one too young to be answerable for anything in it.

The New Yorker

Actually, he has probably done a good thing by insulating himself from his party; otherwise he would be answerable for everything the government has done so far.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

For instance, a just system of criminal law must convict and punish only those who are responsible, in the sense of being answerable for their crimes: only those who have the capacities necessary to answer for their actions, who are bound by this criminal law, and who are answerable to the political community whose law it is and whose courts call them to answer.

SEP

Brad is answerable for that, and he knows it.

The Guardian - Sport

Given their importance to users, it is crucial that privately run services are answerable for their actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it means being answerable for the dodgy judgment of appointing Mal Brough in the first place.

The Guardian - Opinion

During one exchange, as she argued Westminster was answerable for Northern Ireland, Mr FitzGerald retorted that "for 50 years they had not regarded themselves as being answerable".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be answerable for" when you want to emphasize the obligation to explain or justify actions to a higher authority or stakeholder.

Common error

Avoid using "be answerable for" when you actually mean simply "be responsible for". "Answerable" implies a need to explain and justify, while "responsible" simply means having a duty or task.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be answerable for" functions as a predicative expression indicating that someone or something is accountable and must provide justification or explanation. This implies a hierarchical relationship where one party owes an explanation to another. Ludwig's examples illustrate this use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be answerable for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express the obligation to explain one's actions or decisions to a higher authority. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, remember that "be answerable for" implies a higher level of accountability than simply "be responsible for", as it includes an expectation of explanation and justification. Alternative phrases such as "be accountable for" or "be held responsible for" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be held responsible for

Emphasizes the act of holding someone accountable.

be accountable for

A more formal and direct synonym for "be answerable for".

bear responsibility for

Highlights the weight and burden of responsibility.

take responsibility for

Focuses on the act of accepting responsibility.

be liable for

Implies a legal or contractual obligation.

be to blame for

Specifically indicates fault or culpability.

be censured for

Suggests formal disapproval or criticism.

be subject to questioning about

Focuses on the process of being questioned and scrutinized.

face the consequences of

Highlights the negative outcomes of actions.

explain oneself regarding

Shifts the focus to the act of providing an explanation.

FAQs

How do I use "be answerable for" in a sentence?

The phrase "be answerable for" is used to indicate that someone is responsible and must explain their actions or decisions to a higher authority. For example, "The project manager will "be answerable for" any delays in the project timeline".

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

"Be responsible for" indicates a duty or task, while "be answerable for" implies an obligation to explain and justify one's actions to someone else. You can "be responsible for" a task without being questioned, but if you "be answerable for" something, someone expects an explanation.

What can I say instead of "be answerable for"?

Alternatives to "be answerable for" include "be accountable for", "be held responsible for", or "take responsibility for", depending on the context.

Is "be answerable to" the same as "be answerable for"?

No, "be answerable to" indicates who you must provide explanations to (the authority), while "be answerable for" specifies what you are responsible for explaining. For example, "The CEO is answerable to the board of directors for the company's performance".