be held liable

USAGE SUMMARY

"be held liable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's responsibility or accountability for something. For example, "The company was held liable for a data breach due to inadequate security measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Legal

Business

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Someone needs to be held liable".

The New York Times

"You shouldn't be held liable for what somebody else said.

The New York Times

It should not be held liable for its own misfortune".

The New York Times

A blogger can be held liable for any false claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Should identity management be regulated and who should be held liable and for what?

Computer Law & Security Review

The company misled investors and its officers and directors may be held liable.

The New York Times

"I don't think a person should be held liable for his luck".

The New Yorker

Regulators have now clarified that general-interest app stores would not be held liable for that.

The New York Times - Tech

That means they could be held liable if they turn out to be wrong.

The New York Times

In typical discrimination cases, employers can be held liable if wrongful discrimination is a motivating factor.

The New York Times

Wilpon and Katz should not be held liable for Madoff's shenanigans, they said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always specify who is holding someone liable, and for what specific reason.

Common error

Avoid using "be held liable" when simply referring to general responsibility. This phrase implies a legal or formal determination of culpability, not just a moral or ethical obligation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held liable" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone is subject to legal or formal responsibility for something. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be held liable" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that signifies legal or formal accountability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate in diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings, it denotes a clear assignment of responsibility, as distinct from merely being responsible. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the liable party, the action, and the basis for liability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be legally responsible

This alternative explicitly states the legal aspect of the responsibility.

be responsible

This alternative focuses on the general sense of responsibility, without necessarily implying legal culpability.

be accountable

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

bear the responsibility

This option puts emphasis on carrying the burden of responsibility.

answer for

This alternative is a more concise way of saying to be responsible for something.

be culpable

This alternative directly indicates guilt or blameworthiness.

shoulder the blame

This phrase emphasizes accepting blame specifically.

be subject to penalty

This phrase specifically refers to potential penalties or punishments.

face the consequences

This alternative focuses on the result of one's actions.

be charged with

This option suggest a formal accusation or charge.

FAQs

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

You can use "be held liable" to indicate that someone is legally responsible for something, for example: "The company was "held liable" for the environmental damage."

What's the difference between "be held liable" and "be responsible"?

"Be held liable" implies a legal obligation or responsibility, while "be responsible" can refer to a broader sense of duty or accountability. Someone might "be responsible" for a task, but not necessarily "be held liable" for its outcome in a legal sense.

Which is correct, "be held liable" or "being held liable"?

Both "be held liable" and "being held liable" can be correct, depending on the context. "Be held liable" is often used in general statements, while "being held liable" is used in continuous or progressive contexts.

What are some alternatives to "be held liable"?

Some alternatives to "be held liable" include "be responsible", "be accountable", or "bear the responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.