be held responsible for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be held responsible for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone being held accountable for a particular action. For example, "The President will be held responsible for the budget cuts that lead to cuts to essential services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

President Bush should be held responsible for Iran's nuclear threat.

The New York Times

And the government must be held responsible for it.

The Guardian - Opinion

We can't be held responsible for their behavior".

The New York Times

Individuals would be held responsible for their own behavior.

The New York Times - Magazine

"They must be held responsible for what happened".

The New York Times

Who should be held responsible for such representations?

The New York Times

Schools would be held responsible for student performance.

The New York Times

"I couldn't be held responsible for anything Vincenzo said.

The New York Times - Books

Someone needs to be held responsible for this despicable act".

Independent

Who should be held responsible for the burden of garbage?

Cornell University

Individuals have to be held responsible for their own diets.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly specify the action or outcome for which someone is being held responsible. Ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings and unfair blame.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice excessively with "be held responsible for", as it can obscure who is taking action. Instead of saying "Mistakes will be held responsible for", try "Managers will hold employees responsible for mistakes" for clearer accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held responsible for" functions as a verbal phrase used to assign accountability or blame for a specific action, outcome, or situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be held responsible for" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to assign accountability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various writing contexts. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While semantically similar phrases like "be liable for" and "be accountable for" exist, "be held responsible for" is a versatile choice for clearly indicating who will face the repercussions for specific actions or outcomes. Effective use involves clearly defining the scope of responsibility and avoiding overuse of the passive voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be liable for

Indicates legal or financial responsibility.

be accountable for

Focuses on the obligation to answer for one's actions and accept consequences.

be to blame for

Directly attributes fault or culpability.

answer for

Highlights the need to provide an explanation or justification.

bear the responsibility for

Emphasizes the burden or duty of responsibility.

be culpable for

Suggests moral or legal blameworthiness.

take ownership of

Emphasizes accepting responsibility and control.

be charged with

Indicates a formal accusation or delegation of responsibility.

shoulder the blame for

Emphasizes bearing the burden of blame.

be answerable for

Implies a duty to explain or justify actions to someone in authority.

FAQs

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

While both phrases are similar, "be held responsible for" often implies a specific action or outcome, whereas "be held accountable for" suggests a broader obligation to answer for one's conduct or decisions.

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

You can use "be held responsible for" to indicate that someone will face consequences for their actions. For example, "The CEO will be held responsible for the company's financial losses."

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

Some alternatives include "be liable for", "be to blame for", and "be accountable for", depending on the context.

Can an organization "be held responsible for" the actions of its members?

Yes, an organization can be held responsible for the actions of its members if those actions fall within the scope of their duties or if the organization failed to adequately supervise or prevent the harmful conduct.