cannot be accounted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be accounted for" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that something cannot be explained or justified. Examples: 1. The discrepancy in the company's finances cannot be accounted for; there seems to be a significant amount of money missing. 2. The sudden change in her behavior cannot be accounted for; she has always been a reliable and responsible employee. 3. The rise in crime in the neighborhood cannot be accounted for; the police have yet to find a logical explanation for it. 4. The strange noise coming from the basement cannot be accounted for; we have checked all the appliances and there is no logical source for it. 5. The delay of the flight cannot be accounted for; the airline has not provided any explanation for the unexpected hold-up.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this respect, the narrowness of this shelf cannot be accounted for by the inheritance of shearing effects.

Marine Geology

Much of it cannot be accounted for.

The New York Times

Those men cannot be accounted for.

The New York Times

"There are people who cannot be accounted for.

The Guardian

More questions about MG Rover's finances after 11,000 cars worth £90m cannot be accounted for.

The Guardian - Business

A miracle is an intervention that cannot be accounted for purely rationally.

The Guardian - Books

The superiority of the design to previous versions cannot be accounted for by taste.

The New York Times

Since this cannot be accounted for across the various supersaturations, the dataset has not been corrected.

Nature

Experiment 3 indicates that these effects cannot be accounted for by a position-specific impairment.

Neuropsychologia

But, if it cannot be accounted for, it can be summed up.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All told, the authorities say they are investigating $8 million in district expenses that cannot be accounted for.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot be accounted for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is lacking explanation or justification. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be accounted for" in very informal settings. Simpler phrases like "can't explain" or "don't know why" may be more appropriate for casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be accounted for" functions as a verbal phrase in the passive voice, typically used to indicate that something lacks a clear or justifiable explanation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common and grammatically sound construction. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be accounted for" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a lack of explanation or justification. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in science, news, and formal business contexts. While its register tends towards neutral to formal, it is adaptable to various situations. Remember to use it when you want to highlight that something lacks a clear, rational basis, and consider more informal alternatives for casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be explained

Focuses specifically on the lack of explanation.

is unexplainable

A more direct synonym for "cannot be explained".

cannot be justified

Emphasizes the lack of a valid reason or excuse.

cannot be rationalized

Highlights the absence of a logical basis.

cannot be understood

Focuses on the lack of comprehension.

is unaccountable

Emphasizes the lack of responsibility or justification.

remains a mystery

Implies a sense of enigma and unsolved puzzle.

defies explanation

Suggests something is beyond the realm of possible explanations.

cannot be determined

Focuses on the impossibility of finding a definitive answer or cause.

escapes definition

Highlights the difficulty in providing a clear and precise description.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be accounted for" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be accounted for" when you want to express that something lacks a clear explanation or justification. For example, "The missing funds "cannot be accounted for"" indicates that the reason for the missing funds is unknown.

What are some alternatives to "cannot be accounted for"?

Alternatives include "cannot be explained", "cannot be justified", or "remains a mystery". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "account for"?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the focus. Active voice (e.g., "We cannot account for the discrepancy") emphasizes the actor, while passive voice (e.g., "The discrepancy "cannot be accounted for"") emphasizes the action or the object being acted upon.

What's the difference between "cannot be accounted for" and "cannot account for"?

"Cannot account for" (active voice) means someone is unable to provide an explanation. "Cannot be accounted for" (passive voice) means something is inherently unexplainable or its explanation is missing.