does not account for

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not account for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something or someone does not include or consider a particular detail or factor. For example: "The current budget does not account for the rise in costs due to increased demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This does not account for future needs.

The Economist

"But that does not account for the full increase.

The New York Times

The current database does not account for these factors simultaneously.

The New York Times

That system they have does not account for that".

The New York Times - Sports

Price alone does not account for the dearth of diversity.

The New York Times

GDP does not account for our impact on the environment.

The Guardian

Second, Seth Anziska does not account for American complicity.

The New York Times

But it does not account for how the system works.

The New York Times

Alas, it does not account for the Romantics.

The New York Times - Arts

That figure, too, does not account for some extras.

The New York Times

But that does not account for this venomous likeness.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs if you want to emphasize a deliberate oversight. Alternatives like "overlooks" or "disregards" can add more force than "does not account for".

Common error

Avoid using "does not account for" without specifying what should be accounted for. A vague statement weakens your argument. For example, instead of saying "The study does not account for several factors", specify which factors are missing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not account for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of inclusion, consideration, or explanation regarding a specific factor. It's used to point out omissions or deficiencies in an analysis, model, or plan. Ludwig provides numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not account for" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a lack of consideration or inclusion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and sees widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, ensure you clearly state what is not being accounted for to maintain clarity. Alternatives such as "fails to consider" or "overlooks" can add nuance to your writing. Always aim for specificity to strengthen your arguments and avoid vague generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fails to consider

Indicates a lack of consideration for something, similar to not accounting for it.

doesn't factor in

Emphasizes that something is not included in a calculation or analysis.

does not take into consideration

More formal way of saying something isn't considered.

overlooks

Suggests something is missed or not given enough attention.

makes no allowance for

Highlights the absence of any provision or accommodation for something.

omits

Implies something is intentionally left out or excluded.

disregards

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore something.

leaves out

Similar to omitting, but can also suggest accidental exclusion.

neglects

Suggests a failure to care for or attend to something.

ignores

Similar to disregarding, but can also mean a lack of awareness.

FAQs

What does "does not account for" mean?

The phrase "does not account for" means that something or someone fails to include, consider, or explain a particular detail or factor. It highlights an omission or lack of consideration in an analysis, plan, or explanation.

How can I use "does not account for" in a sentence?

You can use "does not account for" to point out a missing element. For example: "The budget "fails to consider" the impact of inflation." or "This model "overlooks" the human factor."

What are some alternatives to "does not account for"?

Some alternatives to "does not account for" include "fails to consider", "overlooks", "omits", "leaves out", and "doesn't factor in". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When is it better to use "does not account for" over "ignores"?

"Does not account for" is more neutral and suggests a lack of inclusion, while "ignores" implies a deliberate act of disregarding something. Use "ignores" when emphasizing a conscious decision to overlook a factor, and "does not account for" when simply pointing out an omission.