is held responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is held responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing accountability or blame in various contexts, such as legal, professional, or personal situations. Example: "In the event of a mistake, the manager is held responsible for the team's performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

While an overwhelming pro-inflammatory response is held responsible for early deaths, subsequent anti-inflammatory cytokine production may lead to immunosuppression and secondary infections.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Andy Robinson is held responsible.

The Guardian - Sport

No one is held responsible".

The Guardian - Books

Who is held responsible under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act?

The New York Times

And so he is held responsible or accountable, by himself or others.

The New York Times

"Israel does not rule over Gaza but is held responsible for it," he says.

The Economist

In Lebanon a crisis deliberately provoked by, again, the same forces who is held responsible?

The Economist

"This coup is a crime and treasonous, and the court is held responsible for it".

The Guardian

"There can be no justice when no one is held responsible," says Pedro Taques, a senator.

The Economist

In Russia, sometimes more people get killed and no one is held responsible," he added helpfully.

The New Yorker

"I won't stop until Tony Blair is held responsible for this," said her husband, Mark Thompson.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "is held responsible" with more specific alternatives like "is liable" or "is accountable" when appropriate to clarify the nature of the obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "is held responsible" to obscure who is actually assigning the blame or responsibility. Instead, rephrase to make the actor clear: "The board holds the CEO responsible."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is held responsible" functions as a passive construction indicating accountability or blame. As evidenced by Ludwig, it highlights that someone is considered answerable for specific actions or outcomes. This passive voice emphasizes the receiver of the responsibility rather than the assigner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is held responsible" is a versatile and commonly used expression signifying accountability or blame, as affirmed by Ludwig. Analysis of various sources reveals that it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While grammatically correct, best practices suggest using it actively, avoiding passive voice ambiguity. Alternatives include "is accountable" or "is liable", depending on the intended nuance. The phrase's function is to assign responsibility, maintaining a neutral register suitable for professional communication. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its wide application across diverse topics and authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is accountable

Focuses on the obligation to report, explain, or justify actions; emphasizes transparency.

is liable

Implies a legal or financial responsibility for damages or wrongdoing.

bears the responsibility

Emphasizes the weight and burden of duty or obligation.

is to blame

Directly attributes fault or culpability for a negative outcome.

is culpable

Suggests moral blameworthiness for an action or event.

is blameworthy

Similar to 'culpable' but can apply more broadly to character or conduct.

is censured

Indicates formal disapproval or condemnation, often by an authority.

is impeached

Refers to the process of formally charging a public official with misconduct.

is indicted

Signifies a formal accusation by a grand jury, initiating criminal proceedings.

is convicted

Denotes a formal declaration of guilt in a court of law.

FAQs

What does "is held responsible" mean?

The phrase "is held responsible" means someone is considered accountable or blameworthy for something, and expected to answer for it.

When should I use "is held responsible"?

Use "is held responsible" when you want to express that someone is accountable for their actions or the outcome of a situation, particularly when assigning blame or liability is involved. You can also use "is held accountable" or "is liable".

What are some alternatives to "is held responsible"?

Alternatives to "is held responsible" include "is accountable", "is liable", "bears the responsibility", or "is to blame", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "is held responsible" and "is responsible"?

Yes, "is responsible" simply states that someone has a duty or obligation. "Is held responsible" implies that someone is being judged or assessed for their actions and may face consequences. You use "is accountable" when someone has an obligation to report or explain their actions.