make liable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make liable for" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts when discussing responsibility or accountability for a particular action or outcome. Example: "The company may make liable for any damages caused by their negligence."

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although Austria was made liable for reparations, no money was ever actually paid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

James Bovard recommends that airlines and airports be made liable for not protecting their passengers against terrorism.

The New York Times

An owner who elects not to reclaim his property cannot be made liable for a salvage reward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Consequently, transnational companies should be made liable for what happens at the end of their supply chains.

The Guardian

Each aspect of Essendon's claims was dismissed, and the club was made liable for Asada's costs.

The Guardian - Sport

This is a form of strict liability, since the "innocent" master is made liable for the fault of his employee.

Britannica

There is no indication that Congress intended anyone to be made liable for such practices unless he acted other than in good faith.

Cornell University

'(3) Every such corporation hereby made liable for such tax, shall deduct the amount of such tax from the dividends so declared.

Cornell University

The farmer who owns it is happy for skaters to come, but cannot open the gate for fear of being made liable for any accidents.

The Guardian - Travel

The DWP error could also lead to hundreds of applications to the local government ombudsman as tenants seek redress for being wrongly made liable for the bedroom tax.

The Guardian

Treasury spokesperson Lord Ashton had told peers HMRC was "looking at all possible options", including "whether online platforms should be made liable for VA T.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make liable for", ensure the context clearly defines the scope and conditions under which liability is assigned. Specify what actions or omissions lead to being "made liable" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make liable for" in excessively general terms that could lead to unfair or unintended consequences. Ensure there are reasonable limits and clear criteria for determining liability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make liable for" functions as a legal and formal construction used to assign responsibility or accountability for specific actions or outcomes. It's primarily utilized in contexts where a formal declaration of liability is necessary.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make liable for" is a phrase used to assign responsibility or accountability. It is grammatically acceptable, although Ludwig AI suggests it may sound awkward to some. This phrase is commonly used in news, academia, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the scope of liability and avoid overly broad assignments. Alternative phrases such as "hold responsible for" or "assign liability for" can be used to achieve similar meanings with potentially different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold accountable for

Emphasizes the aspect of demanding an explanation or justification for actions.

hold responsible for

Directly assigns blame or duty for an outcome.

render accountable for

Similar to 'hold accountable' but suggests a more formal or legal process.

assign liability for

Focuses specifically on legal or financial responsibility.

deem responsible for

Suggests a formal judgment or declaration of responsibility.

find liable for

Typical use in legal context, highlights the outcome of the judgement that states liability.

establish accountability for

Highlights the process of setting up clear lines of responsibility.

impute responsibility to

Formally assigns responsibility, often based on indirect evidence or association.

fix the blame on

Directly attributes fault or culpability to someone or something.

pin the responsibility on

Similar to 'fix the blame' but can also imply unfairly assigning responsibility.

FAQs

How to use "make liable for" in a sentence?

Use "make liable for" to indicate that someone will be held responsible for something, such as "The company may be "held liable for" damages caused by their negligence."

What can I say instead of "make liable for"?

Alternatives include "hold responsible for", "hold accountable for", or "assign liability for" depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it correct to say "make liable to" instead of "make liable for"?

While "liable to" indicates a possibility or tendency, "make liable for" specifies responsibility. Therefore, "make liable for" is generally more appropriate when assigning accountability.

What's the difference between "liable for" and "responsible for"?

"Liable for" often carries a legal or financial connotation, indicating a formal obligation. "Responsible for" is broader and can include moral or practical duties, therefore "responsible for" is more appropriate for informal context and "liable for" in the formal one.