is not accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not accountable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is not responsible for a particular action or outcome. Example: "In this situation, the contractor is not accountable for any delays caused by unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

DNA accounts for who we are, but is not accountable to us.

Huffington Post

He is not accountable for the money they waste.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The World Bank is not accountable," he said.

The New York Times

He recommended bankruptcy and is not accountable to voters.

The Guardian

"It would be wrong to suggest the C.I.A. is not accountable".

The New York Times

Sussex police custody suites are staffed by Reliance Security, which is not accountable to the IPCC.

Independent

But art is not accountable for the fetishistic verbiage heaped upon it.

The New York Times - Arts

It has meant that the state is not accountable to UK citizens.

The Guardian

"Our military is not accountable to the civil society and does not answer even to the president," she once said.

The Economist

It is caused by a failure to distribute food correctly — because the ruler is not accountable to the starving.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's no surprise that graft-ridden grandiose projects are most common in countries where government isn't accountable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not accountable", ensure the context clearly specifies to whom or what the subject is not accountable. Providing this clarity enhances the sentence's precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is not accountable" when "is not responsible" is more appropriate. Accountability implies a formal obligation to explain actions, while responsibility simply means being the cause or bearer of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not accountable" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state of a subject in terms of their lack of obligation to answer for their actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively conveys a lack of formal responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not accountable" is a commonly used expression to indicate a lack of obligation to answer for one's actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and effective in conveying a lack of formal responsibility. Found most frequently in News & Media, it often describes entities or individuals exempt from oversight. While similar to phrases like "is not responsible", "is not accountable" carries a nuance of formal reporting requirements. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying to whom the subject is not accountable. Avoiding confusion with "is not responsible" will enhance precision. Therefore, understanding the subtle differences is vital to correctly using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not responsible

Focuses on a lack of responsibility for an action or outcome.

is not liable

Emphasizes a lack of legal obligation or financial burden.

is not answerable

Highlights a lack of obligation to explain or justify actions to someone.

bears no responsibility

Stronger emphasis on the complete absence of responsibility.

cannot be held responsible

Indicates an inability to assign blame or obligation.

is exempt from liability

Highlights a formal or legal exclusion from responsibility.

is not subject to scrutiny

Focuses on the lack of oversight or review.

is beyond reproach

Indicates a perceived invulnerability to criticism or blame.

is not obligated

Emphasizes that there's no duty or requirement to do something

has no obligation

Highlights the absence of a specific duty or requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "is not accountable" in a sentence?

Use "is not accountable" to indicate that someone or something does not have to answer for their actions or outcomes to a specific authority or group. For example, "The CEO "is not accountable" to the board for day-to-day decisions".

What's a less formal way to say "is not accountable"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "is not responsible", "doesn't have to answer to", or "isn't answerable to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "is not accountable" and "is not responsible"?

While similar, "is not accountable" often implies a formal obligation to report or explain actions, whereas "is not responsible" suggests a lack of general duty or causation.

When is it appropriate to use "is not accountable" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that someone or something is free from the obligation to justify or explain their actions to a particular entity or authority. It highlights a lack of formal reporting requirements.