be held accountable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be held accountable for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone has to take responsibility for a particular action and accept the consequences. For example, "Employees must be held accountable for the quality of their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Will someone be held accountable for it?

The Guardian

Who should be held accountable for this miserably failed strategy?

The New York Times

Who was to be held accountable for it?

The Economist

But we'll be held accountable for how we handle this".

The New Yorker

"They have to be held accountable for this".

The New York Times

And he should be held accountable for his actions.

The New York Times

Schools will be held accountable for their results.

The Economist

Students have to be held accountable for their actions.

The New Yorker

I want someone to be held accountable for what happened".

The New York Times

"Those principals will be held accountable for that.

The New York Times

Who will be held accountable for his death?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be held accountable for", clearly specify who is being held accountable and for what action or outcome. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be held accountable for" without specifying the responsible party or the exact actions for which they are responsible. Vague statements can lead to confusion and ineffective accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held accountable for" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that someone or something will be required to answer for their actions or performance. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct. The phrase highlights responsibility and the expectation of consequences for not meeting certain standards.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be held accountable for" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to assign responsibility and expect consequences for actions or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears frequently in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the responsible party and the specific actions are clearly defined to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "be responsible for", "be liable for", and "answer for", each carrying slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be responsible for

Focuses more on the general duty of responsibility rather than facing consequences.

be liable for

Emphasizes legal or financial responsibility.

bear the consequences of

Highlights the negative outcomes that follow an action.

be called to account for

Suggests a formal process of being asked to explain actions.

answer for

Implies a need to explain or justify one's actions.

be penalized for

Specifically refers to receiving a punishment or penalty.

face the music for

An idiomatic expression indicating acceptance of punishment or criticism.

be subject to

Indicates exposure to potential penalties or repercussions.

be sanctioned for

Implies a formal or official punishment for wrongdoing.

take ownership of

Focuses on acknowledging and accepting responsibility for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "be held accountable for" to indicate that someone must take responsibility for their actions or decisions. For example, "The manager will "be held accountable for" the team's performance".

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

While similar, "be held accountable for" often implies that consequences will follow, whereas "be held responsible for" simply indicates a duty or obligation.

What are some alternatives to "be held accountable for"?

Alternatives include "be responsible for", "be liable for", or "answer for", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "be held accountable for"?

It is appropriate to use "be held accountable for" in situations where someone has a clear responsibility and there are expected standards or outcomes. If those standards are not met, they will face consequences.