being accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being accountable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions or decisions. Example: "In a team environment, being accountable for your tasks is crucial for overall success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Being accountable to your teammates," Richardson said.

The New York Times - Sports

Being "accountable" is important in democratic politics.

The Guardian

Being accountable to Dodson helped as well.

The Washington Post

People want to see politicians being accountable.

The Guardian

And part of that is being accountable.

The New York Times - Sports

"Being accountable is painful in a different way".

The New York Times - Sports

That's the Ferguson way – taking responsibility, being accountable for your mistakes.

Independent

"It's just a part of business, being accountable and being able to move on".

The New York Times - Sports

Being accountable and reliable for one's contribution of the research project.

Columbia University

"This is not about blocking sites, but about being accountable to a real person".

The New York Times - Tech

By sub-contracting major policy decisions to unelected quangos, ministers escape being accountable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, use "being accountable" to emphasize the importance of ownership and reliability in team projects and individual tasks.

Common error

Avoid using "being accountable" without specifying the standards or expectations that must be met. This can lead to confusion and a lack of clear direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being accountable" functions primarily as a gerund, acting as a noun in a sentence. It often serves as the subject or part of the subject, denoting the state or act of taking responsibility. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

21%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

16%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being accountable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to emphasize responsibility and ownership, serving various communicative purposes across different contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, the phrase highlights the significance of taking responsibility in a wide array of situations. While it's generally accepted as correct, it's important to specify to whom or what one is accountable, avoiding vague or unclear applications of the phrase. Alternatives like "taking responsibility" and "being responsible" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being responsible

A more general term for acting in a responsible manner.

taking responsibility

Focuses more on the act of assuming responsibility.

ensuring accountability

Highlights the process of making sure someone is held responsible.

demonstrating responsibility

Emphasizes the outward display of responsible behavior.

showing responsibility

Similar to demonstrating responsibility but less formal.

owning up to

Informal way of saying taking responsibility for something, often a mistake.

accepting ownership

Implies taking full control and responsibility for something.

answering for

Suggests being ready to explain or justify one's actions.

taking the blame

Specifically refers to accepting responsibility for negative outcomes.

standing up for

Implies defending or supporting one's actions or decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "being accountable" in a sentence?

You can use "being accountable" to describe the state of taking responsibility for actions and outcomes. For example, "Being accountable is crucial for maintaining trust within a team."

What are some alternatives to "being accountable"?

Alternatives include "taking responsibility", "being responsible", or "ensuring accountability", each offering slight nuances in meaning.

What's the difference between "being accountable" and "being responsible"?

"Being accountable" implies a formal obligation to answer for something, while "being responsible" is a broader term referring to general trustworthiness and good judgment.

Is it better to say "being accountable" or "to be accountable"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Being accountable" acts as a gerund (noun), while "to be accountable" is an infinitive (verb). The choice depends on the sentence structure and intended meaning.