is answerable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is answerable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate responsibility or accountability for something, often in a formal context. Example: "The manager is answerable for the team's performance and must ensure that all tasks are completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Brad is answerable for that, and he knows it.

The Guardian - Sport

Some investors say that as chairman of the company and former chief executive of AOL, he is answerable for AOL's accounting problems and sagging performance.

The New York Times

Why? Who is answerable for this?" Even if Aam Aadmi wins only a small number of Delhi's parliamentary seats — a real possibility, given India's first-past-the-post system — it will challenge assumptions that have long undergirded Indian politics.

The New York Times

Such a culture fosters a strong sense of responsibility as a virtue to be encouraged and everyone connected to an outcome of particular actions is answerable for it.

SEP

Since Watson 1996, there has been considerable discussion of the relationship between (1) the claim that an action is "attributable to" an agent; (2) the claim that an agent is "answerable for" her action and (3) the claim that an agent is "accountable for" her action.

SEP

The charity is answerable for the expenditure of this money in the most efficient way possible and as discussed above its staff do not always see OA as the best way of meeting organisational objectives.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The question of what is the optimal executive leadership structure is one the board must answer and be answerable for (though many of the following examples took place before the boardroom had the significance it has today); a director could not find a better starting place from which to view the issue than by looking at the following examples of tandem business success.

Forbes

For instance, a just system of criminal law must convict and punish only those who are responsible, in the sense of being answerable for their crimes: only those who have the capacities necessary to answer for their actions, who are bound by this criminal law, and who are answerable to the political community whose law it is and whose courts call them to answer.

SEP

"Somebody has got to be answerable for this," he said.

The Guardian

Directors and senior executives must be answerable for what goes on in their organizations.

The New York Times

Politicians have to be answerable for failure in ways that autocrats are not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is answerable for" in formal contexts where you want to emphasize accountability and the need for justification, such as in legal, business, or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "is answerable for" when the subject lacks direct control over the outcome. Accountability requires both responsibility and the power to influence the result.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is answerable for" functions as a linking verb phrase that connects a subject with its responsibility or accountability for something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is answerable for" is a grammatically sound and formally recognized way to express that someone is responsible and accountable, particularly in situations requiring justification or explanation. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct. While "is answerable for" is more common in formal and professional contexts, such as legal, academic, and business settings, it is less frequent in everyday conversation. Alternatives like "is responsible for" and "is accountable for" offer similar meanings but may lack the same emphasis on the need for explanation. The choice of phrase depends largely on the specific nuance and level of formality desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is responsible for

This phrase directly replaces "answerable" with "responsible", maintaining a high degree of interchangeability. This is one of the closest alternatives.

is accountable for

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of being required to justify actions or decisions and is highly interchangeable in most contexts.

is liable for

This suggests a legal or financial responsibility and is suitable when the context involves legal obligations.

is to blame for

This phrase implies fault or culpability, adding a negative connotation that "is answerable for" doesn't necessarily have.

is held responsible for

This alternative emphasizes the action of holding someone accountable, adding a layer of enforcement or expectation.

bears the responsibility for

This is a more formal way of saying "is responsible for" and adds a sense of burden or weight to the responsibility.

is duty-bound for

This expresses a sense of moral or ethical obligation. In this case, "duty-bound" specifies moral obligations and ethical standards.

is in charge of

This alternative focuses on having control or management over something rather than necessarily being responsible for its outcome.

is under obligation for

This is a formal construction highlighting a binding duty or requirement, often legal or contractual, which makes it significantly different.

is obligated for

While similar to 'is under obligation for', this is more formal and often implies a legal or contractual requirement.

FAQs

What does "is answerable for" mean?

The phrase "is answerable for" means that someone is responsible and accountable for something, and they must be ready to explain or justify their actions or decisions related to it.

When should I use "is answerable for" instead of "is responsible for"?

While both phrases are similar, "is answerable for" often carries a stronger emphasis on the obligation to explain or justify actions, making it suitable for formal contexts where accountability is key.

What are some alternatives to "is answerable for"?

Some alternatives include "is accountable for", "is liable for", or "is to blame for", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "is answerable for" formal or informal?

The phrase "is answerable for" is generally considered formal and is appropriate for professional, academic, and legal contexts. In more casual settings, simpler terms like "is responsible for" might be preferred.