hold accountable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hold accountable for' is usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to being required to provide an explanation, justification, or accept responsibility for something. For example, "The mayor will be held accountable for the budget deficits that the city has accrued this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

An increasing number of workers are in subcontracting or franchise arrangements where their employment conditions are controlled by firms they can't bargain with or hold accountable for meeting basic wage or safety obligations.

The Guardian - Tech

During the briefing on Wednesday, he showed flashes of frustration that, under the C.I.A.'s current structure, there is not one single person in charge of — and to hold accountable for — a number of pressing issues.

The New York Times

In 2009 he was named in a confidential US diplomatic cable disclosed by WikiLeaks as one of three senior government ministers Museveni had failed to hold "accountable for corruption allegations".

The Guardian

These observers point out that identifiable individuals are far easier to hold accountable for mistakes, bias, and bad writing than is a community of anonymous volunteers, but other observers respond that it is not entirely clear if there is a substantial difference.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lawmakers said the question of who to hold accountable for sexual harassment in Albany had been a topic of concern for years, citing the example of Vito Lopez, a former assemblyman whom two former aides accused of serial harassment in 2013.

The New York Times

He said Mutko had promised to resign after the sporting debacle there, but that two years later "the same people that they 'forgot' to hold accountable for Vancouver are now responsible for London".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

DeVos is already on that one as she is stalling on instituting guidelines designed to hold accountable for-profit colleges and non-degree programs accountable.

Huffington Post

Will someone be held accountable for it?

The Guardian

Should he be held accountable for that?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Who should be held accountable for this miserably failed strategy?

The New York Times

Who was to be held accountable for it?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold accountable for", ensure that the person or entity being held accountable has the authority and resources to influence the outcome. This strengthens the fairness and validity of holding them accountable.

Common error

Avoid using "hold accountable for" in situations where the factors influencing the outcome are beyond the control of the individual or entity being held accountable. This can lead to unfair blame and undermine the credibility of the accountability process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold accountable for" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of assigning responsibility or blame to someone for a particular action or outcome. Ludwig's examples show it is used when someone is expected to answer for their conduct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold accountable for" is a common phrase used to assign responsibility and demand justification for actions or outcomes. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing across diverse fields like news, business, and academia. The analysis reveals a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for formal discussions about accountability. When considering alternatives, options such as "hold responsible for" or ""call to account for"" can offer subtle shifts in meaning to better suit the specific context. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring those held accountable have the agency to influence the results for which they are being judged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold responsible for

Replaces 'accountable' with 'responsible', emphasizing a direct connection to the action or outcome.

call to account for

Highlights the act of demanding an explanation or justification for actions.

make answerable for

Emphasizes the obligation to respond and justify actions.

render liable for

Focuses on the legal or financial responsibility for something.

pin the blame on

Indicates assigning fault or responsibility for a negative outcome.

assign culpability to

A more formal way of assigning blame or responsibility.

demand responsibility from

Focuses on the act of requiring someone to take ownership of a situation.

bring to justice for

Implies a formal or legal process to address wrongdoing.

attribute fault to

Specifically assigns blame or a mistake to someone.

hold liable for damages

Focuses on the legal responsibility for financial reparations.

FAQs

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

You can use "hold accountable for" to indicate that someone is responsible for their actions or the outcome of a situation. For example, "The company will "be held accountable for" the environmental damage caused by the oil spill".

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

While similar, "hold accountable for" often implies a formal process of explanation or justification, whereas "hold responsible for" emphasizes a direct causal link or obligation.

What are some alternatives to saying "hold accountable for"?

Alternatives include "call to account for", "make answerable for", or "assign culpability to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "hold accountable for"?

It's appropriate to use "hold accountable for" when someone has a clear responsibility or authority over a situation and there is a need for them to explain or justify their actions or the results of their actions.