chiefly answerable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chiefly answerable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is primarily responsible for a particular task or outcome. Example: "The project manager is chiefly answerable for the success of the project and must ensure all deadlines are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

No single agency or individual seemed answerable for the problems.

The New York Times - Travel

Somebody has got to be answerable for this.

The Guardian

Is Ms Jowell really answerable for her husband's actions?

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

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

"We will make the people who dig up our roads answerable for their actions," she said.

The Guardian

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

Unfortunately (unlike Parliament or the BBC) it is not – yet – answerable for its often pretty abhorrent actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

They were rewarded by a rise in rank and became answerable for their actions to the tsar alone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chiefly answerable for", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific area or task for which someone is primarily responsible. This avoids ambiguity and ensures clear accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "chiefly answerable for" when the responsibility is shared equally among multiple parties. This phrase implies a primary level of accountability that may not be accurate in collaborative environments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chiefly answerable for" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the primary entity that is accountable or responsible for something. It describes the extent or degree of responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "chiefly answerable for" is used to denote the primary responsibility or accountability for something. Although Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable, it appears to be rare in current usage, with no examples found in the analyzed dataset. Related phrases such as "primarily accountable for" and "mainly responsible for" can serve as alternatives. When using this phrase, ensure clear context to define the specific area of responsibility and avoid overgeneralization. The phrase is best suited for professional or neutral settings where accountability is a key concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily accountable for

Emphasizes accountability as the main aspect, similar to being "chiefly answerable", with "primarily" highlighting the main focus of responsibility.

mainly responsible for

Focuses on responsibility as the core concept, akin to being "chiefly answerable", with "mainly" underscoring the principal area of duty.

largely responsible for

Highlights the significant portion of responsibility, close to being "chiefly answerable", where "largely" emphasizes the substantial role in accountability.

principally liable for

Indicates liability as the key aspect, resembling being "chiefly answerable", with "principally" emphasizing the main legal or moral obligation.

predominantly accountable for

Stresses accountability as the central idea, mirroring being "chiefly answerable", where "predominantly" highlights the major extent of responsibility.

primarily in charge of

Shifts the focus to being in charge, similar to being "chiefly answerable", with "primarily" accentuating the main area of control and direction.

mostly held responsible for

Highlights being held responsible, akin to being "chiefly answerable", with "mostly" emphasizing the greater part of the obligation.

the main person responsible for

Directly states the role of the main person responsible, mirroring being "chiefly answerable", clearly indicating the primary individual accountable.

foremost in responsibility for

Stresses the foremost aspect of responsibility, similar to being "chiefly answerable", highlighting the top priority and importance of the duty.

primarily obligated for

Focuses on the obligation aspect, resembling being "chiefly answerable", with "primarily" stressing the main duty or commitment.

FAQs

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

Use "chiefly answerable for" to indicate who has the main responsibility for something. For example, "The project manager is "chiefly answerable for" the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "chiefly answerable for"?

Alternatives include "primarily accountable for", "mainly responsible for", or "largely responsible for".

Is it correct to say "chiefly responsible for" instead of "chiefly answerable for"?

Yes, "chiefly responsible for" is a correct and often interchangeable alternative. Both phrases convey the idea of primary responsibility, but "chiefly responsible for" emphasizes the duty, while "chiefly answerable for" highlights the accountability aspect.

What's the difference between "chiefly answerable for" and "solely responsible for"?

"Chiefly answerable for" indicates primary but not necessarily exclusive responsibility, whereas "solely responsible for" implies that one person or entity is entirely responsible without any shared accountability.