being answerable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being answerable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing accountability or responsibility for actions or decisions. Example: "As the project manager, I am being answerable for the team's performance and the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

For instance, a just system of criminal law must convict and punish only those who are responsible, in the sense of being answerable for their crimes: only those who have the capacities necessary to answer for their actions, who are bound by this criminal law, and who are answerable to the political community whose law it is and whose courts call them to answer.

SEP

And it means being answerable for the dodgy judgment of appointing Mal Brough in the first place.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In this position he was responsible for all NSDAP appointments, and was answerable only to Hitler.

Wikipedia

The question of what is the optimal executive leadership structure is one the board must answer and be answerable for (though many of the following examples took place before the boardroom had the significance it has today); a director could not find a better starting place from which to view the issue than by looking at the following examples of tandem business success.

Forbes

Somebody has got to be answerable for this.

The Guardian

"Somebody has got to be answerable for this," he said.

The Guardian

Brad is answerable for that, and he knows it.

The Guardian - Sport

Directors and senior executives must be answerable for what goes on in their organizations.

The New York Times

Politicians have to be answerable for failure in ways that autocrats are not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Given their importance to users, it is crucial that privately run services are answerable for their actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

During one exchange, as she argued Westminster was answerable for Northern Ireland, Mr FitzGerald retorted that "for 50 years they had not regarded themselves as being answerable".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being answerable for", ensure the context clearly defines to whom or what the subject is responsible. For instance: "The manager is being answerable for the team's performance to the CEO."

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of saying "They are being answerable for the situation", specify which aspects of the situation they are responsible for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being answerable for" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, typically indicating a state of responsibility or accountability. It specifies that someone or something is obligated to justify or explain their actions or decisions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being answerable for" signifies a state of accountability and responsibility, obligating someone to justify their actions or decisions. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in contexts spanning news, media, and scientific discussions. Alternatives like "being accountable for" or "being responsible for" can be used depending on the specific emphasis desired. When employing the phrase, clarity is paramount: explicitly define who is answerable and to whom or what they are accountable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being accountable for

Replaces "answerable" with "accountable", emphasizing the obligation to report and justify actions.

being responsible for

Substitutes "answerable" with "responsible", highlighting the duty to handle something competently.

being liable for

Replaces "answerable" with "liable", focusing on the legal or financial responsibility.

being held responsible for

Adds a layer of external judgment or imposition of responsibility.

being held accountable for

Adds emphasis on the external authority that requires justification and reporting.

taking responsibility for

Shifts the focus to the act of assuming responsibility, rather than the state of being answerable.

bearing the burden of

Emphasizes the weight and potential negative consequences associated with the responsibility.

owing an explanation for

Focuses on the obligation to provide a reason or justification for actions.

subject to scrutiny for

Highlights the aspect of being examined and judged for one's actions.

facing the consequences of

Shifts the focus to the results and repercussions of one's actions.

FAQs

What does "being answerable for" mean?

The phrase "being answerable for" means that someone is responsible and accountable for their actions, decisions, or obligations, and must be prepared to justify them.

How can I use "being answerable for" in a sentence?

You can use "being answerable for" to indicate responsibility and accountability. For example: "The project manager is "being responsible for" the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "being answerable for"?

Alternatives include "being accountable for", "being responsible for", or "being liable for" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "being answerable for" the same as "being responsible for"?

While similar, "being answerable for" often implies a need to justify actions to someone, whereas "being responsible for" simply means having a duty to handle something.