is accountable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is accountable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has a responsibility to report to or be answerable to someone else, often in a professional or organizational context. Example: "The project manager is accountable to the board of directors for the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The project finance manager is accountable to the project manager (PM) for the accounts receivable and accounts payable relating to the specific project.

Piping Engineering Leadership for Process Plant Projects

Some of our respondents questioned how this power imbalance affects issues of accountability and whether the plethora of health organizations is accountable to the right groups.

BMC Health Services Research

"She is accountable to we the people".

The New York Times

It is accountable to Darwin, not to Newton".

The New Yorker

Everyone in the British team is accountable to the Dutchman.

The Guardian - Sport

She emphasises that Ofcom is accountable to parliament.

The Guardian

But he is accountable to the people of the UK.

The Guardian

"This law has given the people the feeling that the government is accountable to them".

The New York Times

He reminded Mr Bush that his government, too, is accountable to the legislature.

The Economist

Because at all times, no matter where he is, he is accountable to the people.

The New York Times

As a senator, Mr Obama is accountable to an entire state's voters.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is accountable to", ensure the context clearly identifies both the entity held accountable and the entity to whom they are accountable. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "is accountable to" without specifying who the entity is accountable to. For example, instead of saying "The department is accountable", specify "The department is accountable to the CEO".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is accountable to" functions as a linking verb phrase indicating a relationship of responsibility and reporting. Ludwig's examples show it connecting an entity with the person or group to whom they must answer for their actions. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is accountable to" effectively conveys the concept of responsibility and reporting within a hierarchical structure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. The most common contexts are news and media, science and formal/business settings. While alternatives like "is responsible to" or "is answerable to" exist, it's crucial to maintain clarity by specifying to whom the entity is accountable. By considering these nuances, writers can leverage "is accountable to" with precision and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is responsible to

Replaces "accountable" with "responsible", emphasizing the duty to act correctly and be answerable for actions.

is answerable to

Substitutes "accountable" with "answerable", highlighting the obligation to explain or justify actions to someone.

reports to

Focuses on the act of providing information and updates to a superior.

is held responsible by

Emphasizes that another party considers the person or entity responsible for something.

is liable to

Emphasizes legal or financial responsibility to someone.

is obliged to answer to

Stresses the obligation to respond to inquiries or demands from someone.

is under the jurisdiction of

Highlights that the person or entity is subject to the authority and control of a higher body.

is subject to the authority of

Focuses on being under the control or power of another entity.

owes an explanation to

Highlights the requirement to provide a justification or reason for actions to someone.

is bound by duty to

Indicates a strong moral or ethical obligation to someone.

FAQs

How do I use "is accountable to" in a sentence?

Use "is accountable to" to show that someone must answer for their actions to a higher authority. For example, "The project manager "is accountable to" the stakeholders for the project's success".

What phrases can I use instead of "is accountable to"?

You can use phrases like "is responsible to", "is answerable to", or "reports to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is accountable to" or "is responsible for"?

While both indicate obligation, "is accountable to" typically implies a reporting relationship or a requirement to justify actions to someone, whereas "is responsible for" usually refers to having a duty or task. Choose the phrase that better fits the specific context.

What is the difference between "is accountable to" and "is liable to"?

"Is accountable to" generally indicates a duty to explain or justify actions, whereas "is liable to" suggests a legal or financial responsibility. For example, a manager is accountable to their supervisor, while a company is liable to pay damages for negligence.