held liable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held liable for" is correct and is used frequently in written English.
It is usually used when talking about someone being legally responsible for something. For example: "The company was held liable for damages caused by a defective product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

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

Wilpon and Katz should not be held liable for Madoff's shenanigans, they said.

The New York Times - Sports

The Defense Department was worried that Americans might be held liable for the deaths of innocents.

The New York Times

"It's astounding to me these guys haven't been held liable for anything," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held liable for", ensure the context clearly indicates the basis of liability, whether legal, ethical, or contractual.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "held liable for" something automatically implies guilt or intentional wrongdoing; liability can arise from negligence or unforeseen circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held liable for" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that the subject is legally or officially responsible for something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to denote legal responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held liable for" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate legal or formal responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic, and science-related domains. Alternatives such as "deemed responsible for" or "considered accountable for" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When using this phrase, clarity is key to avoid misunderstandings about the scope and basis of liability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deemed responsible for

Replaces "held liable" with "deemed responsible", focusing on the act of judging someone accountable.

considered accountable for

Uses "considered accountable" instead of "held liable", highlighting the process of assigning responsibility.

found responsible for

Emphasizes the outcome of a judgment or investigation, where responsibility is established.

judged responsible for

Focuses on the judicial aspect of assigning responsibility.

legally responsible for

Specifies that the responsibility is based on legal grounds.

accountable for

A more concise version, directly stating accountability.

culpable for

Implies blame or fault in addition to responsibility.

answerable for

Highlights the obligation to explain or justify actions.

chargeable for

Indicates that someone is subject to being charged or accused.

implicated in

Suggests involvement in a negative situation or outcome, leading to responsibility.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "held liable for" something?

To be "held liable for" something means to be legally responsible for damages, losses, or other negative outcomes. It often implies a legal judgment or determination of responsibility.

What are some alternatives to saying "held liable for"?

You can use alternatives like "deemed responsible for", "found responsible for", or "considered accountable for" depending on the context.

In what situations might someone be "held liable for" something?

Someone might be "held liable for" negligence, breach of contract, property damage, personal injury, or failure to meet a legal obligation. The specific circumstances determine the basis of liability.

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

While similar, "held liable for" often carries a stronger legal connotation, indicating a formal judgment or legal obligation. "Held responsible for" can be used more broadly to indicate accountability in non-legal contexts.