held liable

USAGE SUMMARY

'held liable' is correct and can be used in written English in a variety of contexts.
For example: "The company was held liable for failing to deliver the product on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Someone needs to be held liable".

The New York Times

No person was held liable for Merck's conduct.

The New York Times

The advisory firm was held liable for the violations.

The New York Times

"You shouldn't be held liable for what somebody else said.

The New York Times

It should not be held liable for its own misfortune".

The New York Times

A blogger can be held liable for any false claims.

The Guardian - Opinion

The company misled investors and its officers and directors may be held liable.

The New York Times

It was the first time a company had been held liable for sex discrimination in promotion.

The Economist

"I don't think a person should be held liable for his luck".

The New Yorker

Regulators have now clarified that general-interest app stores would not be held liable for that.

The New York Times - Tech

That means they could be held liable if they turn out to be wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held liable", ensure the context clearly identifies who is holding the person or entity liable and for what reason. Be specific about the basis of the liability (e.g. negligence, breach of contract).

Common error

Avoid using "held liable" in situations where the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of saying 'Mistakes were held liable to happen', rephrase it as 'People were held liable for making mistakes'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held liable" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a person or entity is the recipient of an action—the attribution of legal responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Held liable" is a common phrase used to indicate that someone is legally or financially responsible for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, but also has a presence in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be clear about who is holding whom liable, and on what grounds. Alternatives include "deemed responsible" or "legally responsible" depending on the specific context. Avoiding passive voice overuse and ensuring clarity in your writing will help in using this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally responsible

Specifically highlights legal liability.

liable

Shorter, more direct synonym.

deemed responsible

Replaces 'held liable' with a more general term for responsibility.

considered accountable

Uses 'accountable' which implies a duty to explain or justify actions.

found culpable

Emphasizes guilt or blameworthiness.

judged responsible

Focuses on a formal judgment of responsibility.

answerable for

Implies a duty to respond to questions or criticisms.

responsible

The core concept, without the 'held' aspect.

subject to penalty

Focuses on the consequence of liability.

at fault

Emphasizes the existence of fault or error.

FAQs

What does "held liable" mean?

The phrase "held liable" means to be legally responsible for something, especially for paying money as compensation for loss or injury. It implies a formal judgment or determination of responsibility.

What are some synonyms for "held liable"?

Alternatives to "held liable" include "deemed responsible", "considered accountable", and "found culpable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "held liable" different from "responsible"?

"Responsible" is a general term indicating accountability. "Held liable" specifically implies that someone has been formally judged or determined to be responsible, often with legal or financial consequences.

Can you provide an example sentence using "held liable"?

A company can be "held liable" for damages resulting from a defective product. This means the company is legally responsible for compensating those who were harmed by the defect.