be held fully accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be held fully accountable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being made responsible for their actions or decisions, often in formal or legal situations. Example: "The company will be held fully accountable for any damages caused by its negligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

College presidents clearly need to be held fully accountable for their sports programs.

The New York Times

"The Lee regime will be held fully accountable for the irrevocable catastrophic consequences to be entailed".

The New York Times

Companies that do so must be held fully accountable in court for their actions.

The New York Times

"They and no one else must be held fully accountable for these heinous acts".

The New York Times

We see exactly what you're doing — and you should expect to be held fully accountable.

The Washington Post

"To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend's racist violence, you will be held fully accountable," he insisted.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And we must make sure that those involved are held fully accountable".

The Guardian

"These are the individuals I consider responsible and they are being held fully accountable for their actions".

The Guardian

"We continue to work with the state attorneys general, including California, to ensure that the banks are held fully accountable for their actions," said Tracy Schmaler, the spokeswoman.

The New York Times

While CPD does not comment on pending litigation, in instances where misconduct has been substantiated, those individuals responsible are held fully accountable for their actions.

The Guardian

In a press release accompanying Woodfox's latest reindictment, Caldwell wrote, "We will continue to fight to ensure that this dangerous man is held fully accountable for his actions".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be held fully accountable" when you want to emphasize that someone will face significant consequences for their actions, especially in legal, ethical, or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "be held fully accountable" in casual conversation. It sounds overly formal and legalistic in everyday situations. Opt for phrases like "take responsibility" or "be responsible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held fully accountable" functions as a passive construction indicating that an individual or entity will be subjected to scrutiny and consequences for their actions or decisions. Ludwig shows it is used in contexts where responsibility and potential repercussions are emphasized.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be held fully accountable" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to emphasize that someone will face significant consequences for their actions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and indicates a formal register. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. When writing, it's best to reserve it for serious situations where you want to highlight responsibility and potential repercussions. Alternatives include phrases like "be held liable" or "be responsible for", which might be more suitable in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be held liable

Focuses on legal responsibility and potential penalties.

be responsible for

A more general term for bearing responsibility, lacking the emphasis on consequences.

be made to answer for

Emphasizes the need to explain one's actions and potentially face repercussions.

face the consequences

Highlights the negative outcomes resulting from actions.

answer for one's actions

Similar to "be made to answer for", focusing on taking responsibility.

be brought to justice

Emphasizes legal proceedings and punishment.

bear the burden of

Focuses on the negative impact or consequences one must endure.

be penalized for

Highlights the imposition of penalties or punishments.

be sanctioned for

Similar to "be penalized", but often used in more formal or international contexts.

take ownership of

Emphasizes accepting responsibility and control over a situation.

FAQs

What does "be held fully accountable" mean?

It means that someone will be considered responsible for their actions or decisions and will face consequences if those actions are deemed unacceptable or illegal.

When is it appropriate to use "be held fully accountable"?

It's appropriate in formal settings, legal contexts, or when emphasizing the serious consequences of someone's actions. It's common in news reports, official statements, and business communications.

What can I say instead of "be held fully accountable"?

You can use alternatives like "be held liable", "be responsible for", or "face the consequences" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "be held accountable" and "be held fully accountable"?

While both phrases indicate responsibility, "be held fully accountable" emphasizes a more complete and comprehensive level of responsibility and the likelihood of significant repercussions.