is held accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is held accountable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibility or liability for actions or decisions, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "In our organization, every team member is held accountable for their contributions to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who is held accountable?

Harvard University

Nobody is held accountable.

University of California, Berkeley

Instead, the corporation is held accountable.

The New York Times

Often, no one is held accountable.

The New York Times

The president is held accountable for the thousands of students.

The New York Times

Every employee is held accountable for achieving profits.

Harvard Business Review

And no one is held accountable for mistakes because so many people are involved.

The New York Times

But we must do our best to ensure that whoever is responsible is held accountable.

Columbia University

"Time and time again no one is held accountable," she said.

The Guardian

So as the head is held accountable, so the governor should be held accountable".

The Guardian

Usually the chancellor, not the board president, is held accountable for student performance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While "is held accountable" is generally suitable for formal writing, alternatives like "is responsible" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "is held accountable" without specifying the standard or expectation that was not met. Vague statements weaken the impact of your message. Instead of saying "The project manager is held accountable", specify "The project manager is held accountable for delivering the project on time and within budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is held accountable" functions primarily as a passive voice construction indicating that someone or something is subject to scrutiny, responsibility, and potential consequences for their actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically sound and common in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

15%

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is held accountable" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that someone or something must answer for their actions and face potential consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in academic, news, and scientific contexts.

When using "is held accountable", it's crucial to clearly specify who or what is being held accountable and for what specific actions or omissions. While "is held accountable" is appropriate for formal settings, alternative phrases such as "is responsible" or "is liable" might be suitable in informal situations. Avoiding vague statements and clearly defining accountability enhances the effectiveness of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is responsible

Focuses on the general obligation or duty to manage or take care of something, rather than facing consequences.

is liable

Emphasizes legal responsibility and potential financial or legal penalties.

is answerable

Highlights the need to justify actions or decisions to a higher authority.

bears the responsibility

Formal and emphasizes the weight of the obligation.

is subject to

Highlights the potential for undergoing a specified action or treatment, often negative, as a consequence.

faces the consequences

Focuses specifically on the results or effects of an action, often implying negative outcomes.

is brought to justice

Emphasizes the legal system's role in ensuring accountability, typically in criminal contexts.

is called to account

Implies a formal process of being asked to explain one's actions or decisions.

is made to answer

Highlights the act of being forced to respond or justify oneself, often in a challenging situation.

is penalized

Directly indicates a punishment or sanction imposed for wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "is held accountable" in a sentence?

You can use "is held accountable" to indicate that someone or something is responsible for their actions and must answer for them. For example, "The CEO "is held accountable" for the company's financial performance."

What are some alternatives to "is held accountable"?

Some alternatives include "is responsible", "is liable", or "is answerable", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "is held accountable" and "is responsible"?

"Is responsible" generally implies a duty or obligation, while "is held accountable" suggests that there will be consequences if that duty is not fulfilled. Someone who "is held accountable" faces scrutiny and potential penalties for failing to meet expectations, which goes beyond simply "is responsible".

In what contexts is "is held accountable" most appropriate?

"Is held accountable" is suitable for formal contexts where responsibility and consequences are important, such as legal, business, or academic settings. The phrase is used in academia, in news and mass media and by scientific sources.