be answerable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be answerable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating accountability or responsibility to someone or something. Example: "As a manager, I must be answerable to my team for the decisions I make."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Bishop Gregory also promised the laity that "we bishops will be answerable to you," that "answerability begins with openness" and that the charter would remove "the shroud of secrecy which has undermined your trust in us".

The New York Times

MPs have to be answerable to us".

The Guardian

They have to be answerable to this parliament.

Independent

I suddenly realised I might be answerable to someone else.

The Guardian - Books

Donors must also be answerable to the people they claim to help.

The Economist

Regulators would be answerable to the government under "management contracts", exposing them to political whims.

The Economist

But does it make sense for religion to be answerable to the state?

The Economist

They will be answerable to the force in respect of their work," said its statement.

The Guardian

They don't have to be answerable to anyone outside their base.

The New Yorker

The panel will be answerable to him, not to the ambassadors.

The New York Times

The chief of the general staff should be answerable to the defence minister, not the other way round.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be answerable to" when you want to emphasize accountability and the obligation to explain or justify actions to a specific person or entity. For example, "The project manager will be answerable to the stakeholders for the project's success."

Common error

Avoid using "be answerable to" interchangeably with "be responsible for". While both indicate a form of accountability, "be answerable to" suggests a need to explain or justify actions to someone, whereas "be responsible for" emphasizes a duty to manage or oversee something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be answerable to" functions as a predicate adjective indicating a state of accountability or responsibility. Ludwig examples show it's used to define who is responsible to whom or what, emphasizing the need for justification or explanation of actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be answerable to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate accountability and the obligation to justify actions to a specific person or entity. As shown by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media contexts, but also has applications in science and business. Remember that while alternatives like "be responsible for" and "be accountable to" exist, "be answerable to" emphasizes the obligation to explain or justify actions to someone. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "be answerable to" is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be accountable to

Emphasizes the obligation to justify actions and decisions.

be responsible to

Highlights the duty to take care of something or someone.

be liable to

Focuses on legal or financial responsibility for potential damages or consequences.

be subject to

Indicates being under the authority or control of someone or something.

be under the jurisdiction of

Specifies the legal authority that one is bound by.

report to

Highlights a direct reporting line within an organizational structure.

be subordinate to

Indicates a lower rank or position in a hierarchy.

be governed by

Implies adherence to a set of rules or principles.

owe an explanation to

Focuses on the obligation to provide justification for one's actions.

be held responsible by

Emphasizes that another person or entity ensures that someone is deemed responsible.

FAQs

What does "be answerable to" mean?

The phrase "be answerable to" means to be accountable or responsible to someone for your actions or decisions. It implies an obligation to explain or justify your conduct to that person or entity.

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

You can use "be answerable to" to indicate that someone is responsible for reporting to another person or group. For example, "The CEO will "be accountable to" the board of directors for the company's financial performance."

What are some alternatives to "be answerable to"?

Some alternatives to "be answerable to" include "be responsible to", "be accountable to", "be liable to", or "be subject to", depending on the specific context.

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

"Be answerable to" implies an obligation to explain or justify actions to someone, whereas "be responsible for" emphasizes a duty to manage or oversee something. The first indicates accountability to someone, while the second implies a duty for something.