is held accountable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is held accountable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibility or liability for actions or decisions made by an individual or group. Example: "The manager is held accountable for the team's performance and must address any issues that arise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

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

The New York Times

Pierce said the department remained "committed to ensuring that the defendant is held accountable" for the 2012 attacks.

The Guardian

Therefore ethylene is held accountable for the tons of post-harvest losses due to over-ripening and subsequently resulting in fruit rotting.

Journal of Plant Physiology

Bush said that at Northrop Grumman, everyone is held accountable for ethical behaviors and for fostering an ethical culture.

The Washington Post

She is held accountable for their upbringing in a way that male monarchs are not, Daisy Goodwin said.

The Times

"We filed this suit to ensure BP is held accountable for every drop of oil and pollution it has released into the Gulf of Mexico".

The New York Times

The problem will not be solved until the chain of command is held accountable for this breakdown in rules and discipline.

The New York Times

There will be no lasting peace in Sierra Leone until the diamond trade is brought under legitimate control and Mr. Sankoh is held accountable for war crimes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is held accountable for" to foster a culture of ownership and responsibility, by making sure that duties are effectively assigned.

Common error

Avoid stating that someone "is held accountable" without specifying to whom or for what. Ambiguity undermines the purpose of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is held accountable for" functions as a passive construction indicating that an individual or entity is subject to scrutiny and potential consequences for specific actions, decisions, or outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

31%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is held accountable for" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to denote responsibility and potential consequences for actions or outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is widely used and accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Academic contexts, it serves to assign responsibility and enforce standards. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify who is accountable and for what, to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "is responsible for" or "is liable for" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, understanding the appropriate usage of "is held accountable for" enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is responsible for

Focuses on the general duty or obligation, rather than the consequences of actions.

is liable for

Emphasizes legal or financial responsibility for damages or wrongdoings.

is answerable for

Highlights the obligation to explain or justify one's actions or decisions.

bears the responsibility for

Formally indicates who has the duty or obligation to deal with a situation.

is charged with

Specifies a formal assignment of responsibility or a task to someone.

is to blame for

Accusatory, directly points out someone as the cause of something negative.

is culpable for

Implies guilt or blameworthiness for a particular action or outcome.

is accountable to

Focuses on the obligation to report to and justify actions before a higher authority.

is subject to

Highlights that someone will experience a specific outcome, consequence or treatment

takes ownership of

Emphasizes personal responsibility and proactive management of a situation.

FAQs

What does "is held accountable for" mean?

The phrase "is held accountable for" means someone is considered responsible and answerable for their actions, decisions, or the outcomes they produce. This implies an obligation to explain, justify, or face consequences for their conduct or performance.

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

"Is responsible for" generally implies a duty or obligation, while "is held accountable for" suggests that consequences will follow based on performance or actions. You can use "is responsible for" to express general duty, while the phrase "is held accountable for" would imply someone will face consequences for failing to follow their duties.

Can you provide alternatives to "is held accountable for"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "is responsible for", "is liable for", or "is answerable for" depending on the context. Each alternative has a nuanced difference in meaning.

How do I use "is held accountable for" in a sentence?

Use "is held accountable for" to indicate that someone is expected to answer for specific actions or outcomes. For example: "The project manager is held accountable for the project's success or failure."