hold accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold accountable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone should be held responsible for their actions. Example sentence: We as citizens should hold our elected leaders accountable for their decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And that's who you want to hold accountable," said Lynn Turner, a former SEC chief accountant.

The Washington Post

There is no EU government for parliament to hold accountable.

The Economist

What societal failings can we hold accountable for the practice?

The New York Times

"Who can people hold accountable for protecting them?

Stanford University

And the parent says, "Who do I hold accountable?

The New York Times

A criminal investigation is under way to identify and hold accountable those responsible".

The New York Times

"To hold accountable this hypercapitalist and radically individualist strand of Christianity in American religion".

The New York Times

He said his ultimate goal was to hold accountable those responsible for Syria's destruction.

The New York Times

The law should hold accountable individuals who are guilty of real crimes, not guilty by association.

The New York Times

At the ballot box, voters can now hold accountable all five of their representatives.

The New York Times

If a local airport-security manager fails, everyone knows whom to hold accountable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold accountable", ensure the context clearly specifies who is being held accountable and for what actions or outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "hold accountable" without specifying the mechanism or consequences for accountability. Simply stating that someone should be held accountable is insufficient; outline how this will be achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold accountable" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of assigning responsibility and demanding justification for actions or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold accountable" is a widely used and grammatically sound verb phrase that signifies assigning responsibility and ensuring consequences for actions. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in English. It is prevalent in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts, conveying a neutral yet serious tone. When using "hold accountable", clarity is key: specify who is being held accountable and for what reasons. Alternatives like ""hold responsible"" or ""bring to justice"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to clarify the mechanism and consequences when employing this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold responsible

Highlights the action of deeming someone answerable for an action.

hold liable

Emphasizes legal liability and accountability for damages or losses.

bring to justice

Focuses on the legal aspect of holding someone responsible, often involving prosecution.

fix responsibility

Highlights the act of determining who is responsible for something.

call to answer

Implies a formal request for someone to explain their actions.

assign blame

Focuses on the act of assigning blame for a particular action or outcome.

take to task

Means to reprimand or criticize someone for a mistake or wrongdoing.

pinpoint culpability

Emphasizes identifying the person or entity at fault.

prosecute

Specifically refers to initiating legal proceedings against someone.

demand redress

Highlights seeking compensation or rectification for a wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "hold accountable" in a sentence?

You can use "hold accountable" to indicate that someone should be responsible for their actions. For instance, "We must "hold accountable" those who violate the rules."

What phrases are similar to "hold accountable"?

Alternatives include "hold responsible", "hold liable", or "bring to justice", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "hold accountable" and "hold responsible"?

"Hold accountable" often implies a formal process of assigning responsibility and consequences, while "hold responsible" can be more general. Both terms are highly interchangeable.

Is it better to say "held accountable" or "hold accountable"?

The correct form depends on the context. "Hold accountable" is the infinitive form, while "held accountable" is the past participle. For example, "They will "hold accountable" the responsible parties" versus "Those individuals were "held accountable" for their actions."