call to account

USAGE SUMMARY

"call to account" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to hold someone responsible or answerable for their actions or behavior. Example: The parents called the teacher to account for the incident that happened in the classroom.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Bosnia is a country without a reckoning, a call to account.

The Guardian

But they had no idea about how to call to account a suave consultant or dominating chief executive.

The Guardian

"The APPG is determined to call to account all of those companies that are implicated in these kinds of practices.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our government must reaffirm its commitment to ending the use of torture and call to account the individuals who countenanced its use.

The New York Times

Nor have there been discussions of retribution or any formalized judicial process that would call to account the former military generals responsible.

The New York Times

A bar association conscious of its public obligations would Sua sponte call to account an attorney guilty of the misconduct shown here.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

People must be called to account".

The New York Times

Some physicians have been called to account.

The Guardian

In that business, the father is called to account.

The New York Times

Most Chileans want the general called to account.

The Economist

Nobody was ever called to account for his death.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "call to account", ensure the context clearly identifies who is holding whom accountable. This strengthens the sentence and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "call to account" in passive voice without specifying the actor. For example, instead of "Mistakes were called to account", specify "The manager called the team to account for the mistakes" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call to account" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of holding someone responsible for their actions or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "call to account" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that signifies holding someone responsible for their actions. Ludwig AI identifies its usage across diverse fields such as News & Media, Academia, and Science, with News & Media being its predominant context. The phrase's function is to demand justification and enforce accountability. While it maintains a neutral register appropriate for professional and journalistic environments, its impact is felt when emphasizing the necessity for individuals to be held liable for their decisions. When writing, keep in mind to avoid ambiguous passive phrasing, and use alternatives such as "hold accountable" in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold accountable

This alternative directly emphasizes the act of holding someone responsible for their actions.

hold responsible

A more direct way of stating that someone is to blame and must face the consequences.

demand an explanation

This focuses on seeking a justification or reason for actions taken.

require justification

Similar to demanding an explanation, but emphasizes the need for a valid reason.

demand responsibility

Focuses on the act of requiring someone to accept accountability.

bring to justice

This implies a more formal process of holding someone responsible, often in a legal setting.

insist on answers

This emphasizes the persistence in seeking explanations.

request an accounting

Focuses on asking for a detailed report or explanation of actions.

seek redress

This implies seeking a remedy or compensation for a wrong.

seek retribution

This suggests seeking punishment or revenge for a wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "call to account" in a sentence?

You can use "call to account" to indicate holding someone responsible for their actions. For example, "The committee decided to call the CEO to account for the financial losses."

What's a more formal way to say "call to account"?

A more formal alternative to "call to account" could be "hold accountable", which emphasizes the act of ensuring someone is responsible for their actions.

What can I say instead of "call to account" in a legal context?

In a legal context, you might use phrases like "bring to justice" or "require justification" to indicate a more formal process of holding someone responsible.

What is the difference between "call to account" and "demand an explanation"?

"Call to account" implies holding someone responsible and possibly seeking consequences, while "demand an explanation" focuses on seeking a justification or reason for actions taken.