be held accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

'be held accountable' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone should be held responsible for their choices and actions. For example, "We must all be held accountable for our actions and their consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Violators will be held accountable.

Independent

Someone had to be held accountable.

The Economist

Gene wants Berman to be held accountable.

The New Yorker

"He wanted to be held accountable.

The New York Times - Sports

Those waywards must be held accountable".

The New York Times

And she had to be "held accountable".

The New Yorker

"Will they not be held accountable?

The New York Times

"Susan Rice needs to be held accountable".

The New York Times

They deserve to be held accountable.

The New York Times

"They need to be held accountable".

The New York Times - Sports

He deserves to be held accountable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, explicitly state the standards or expectations against which accountability is measured. This provides a concrete basis for evaluating performance or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "be held accountable" without specifying the responsible party. Unclear accountability can weaken the statement and make it difficult to enforce consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held accountable" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone will face consequences or be responsible for their actions or decisions. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role in assigning responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be held accountable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that functions to assign responsibility and emphasize consequences. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is accurate and usable in various contexts. Primarily found in news and media sources, the phrase carries a neutral tone, suitable for discussions across different registers. When using this phrase, it's best to clearly state who is responsible for what actions. Remember that vague language weakens the impact and clarity of the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be held responsible

This alternative emphasizes the obligation to answer for one's actions or decisions.

be held liable

This suggests a legal or financial responsibility for damages or wrongdoing.

face the consequences

This phrase highlights the negative outcomes resulting from actions.

answer for one's actions

This emphasizes the act of explaining or justifying one's behavior.

take responsibility

This highlights the act of acknowledging and accepting accountability.

bear the burden

This suggests enduring hardship or negative effects as a result of actions.

be called to account

This implies a formal demand for explanation or justification.

be subject to scrutiny

This focuses on the potential for intense examination and judgment.

pay the price

This suggests suffering negative consequences as a form of retribution.

suffer the penalty

This emphasizes the imposition of a punishment for wrongdoing.

FAQs

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

You can use "be held accountable" to emphasize that someone needs to be responsible for their actions. For example, "The company will "be held responsible" for the damage caused by the oil spill".

What's a good alternative to "be held accountable"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include ""be held responsible"", "be held liable", or "face the consequences".

Is it correct to say "be hold accountable"?

No, the correct phrasing is "be held accountable". The verb 'hold' requires the past participle form 'held' in this passive construction.

What's the difference between "be held accountable" and "take responsibility"?

"Be held accountable" often implies an external force imposing responsibility, while "take responsibility" suggests a voluntary acceptance of accountability.