being held liable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being held liable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone is responsible for a particular action or outcome, often in relation to legal consequences. Example: "The company is being held liable for the damages caused by its faulty product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An international arbiter found that one country could not pollute another without being held liable.

The New York Times

Schools are now being held liable for breaking a law which no one knew applied to them.

The Guardian - Money

In the United States, the Communications Decency Act generally protects sites like TripAdvisor from being held liable for third party posts.

The New York Times

The charge is noteworthy because it suggests that Mr. Morsi is now being held liable for criticism of the Mubarak government — something previously considered a badge of honor.

The New York Times

Companies nowadays run the risk of being held liable for their employees' misbehaviour unless they can show they had done their best to prevent it.

The Economist

But in most cases, when guidelines apply, doctors could follow them without having to worry about being held liable, and more important, about getting bad advice.

The New York Times

Far from being held liable for the chicanery and recklessness that would destroy their company and threaten their country's economy, these executives benefited big time.

The New York Times

A key provision of a 1990s law, known as Section 230, spares websites from being held liable for the content posted by their users.

The Washington Post

Local agents, distributors, licensees and joint venture partners may not be employees but firms are increasingly being held liable for their corrupt actions.

The Guardian

Furthermore, one cranky pastor doesn't represent the entire church any more than the priests who are now being held liable (and should be) for their past reprehensible conduct.

The New York Times

But it got worse, and a couple of physicians in Cairo refused to see him, apparently because they feared being held liable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being held liable" when you want to emphasize the process or state of someone becoming responsible for something, often with legal or formal implications. For instance, "The company is being held liable for the environmental damage."

Common error

Avoid using "being held liable" when an active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The manager is being held liable by the board", consider "The board is holding the manager liable" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being held liable" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is receiving the action of 'holding liable'. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being held liable" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies the assignment of responsibility or accountability, often in legal or formal settings. According to Ludwig, its primary contexts are News & Media and Academia. It is crucial to understand its nuances, such as when to use it over active voice constructions, to avoid common errors. Considering alternatives like "being deemed responsible" or "being held accountable" can also enhance writing precision. The high source quality and expert rating underscore its reliability and appropriateness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being deemed responsible

Focuses on the act of judging or considering someone to be responsible.

being considered accountable

Emphasizes the expectation of having to answer for one's actions.

being found culpable

Highlights guilt or blameworthiness in a formal or legal setting.

being judged responsible

Similar to being deemed responsible, with a slightly more formal tone.

being seen as liable

Focuses on perception or impression rather than a formal judgment.

facing liability

Highlights the imminent or present state of being responsible.

subject to legal action

Emphasizes the legal consequences that may arise.

answerable for

Highlights the duty to explain or justify one's actions.

accountable for

Emphasizes the obligation to take responsibility.

responsible for

A more general term indicating a duty or obligation.

FAQs

What does "being held liable" mean?

The phrase "being held liable" signifies that an individual or entity is legally or formally responsible for something, often resulting in consequences such as fines or penalties.

What are some alternatives to "being held liable"?

Alternatives include "being held responsible", "being held accountable", or "being deemed responsible", depending on the specific context.

How is "being held liable" used in a legal context?

In legal contexts, "being held liable" means that a court or legal authority has determined that an individual or entity is legally responsible for damages, injuries, or other harm.

What is the difference between "being held liable" and "being responsible"?

"Being responsible" is a broader term indicating a general duty or obligation, while "being held liable" implies a formal or legal determination of responsibility and potential consequences.