must answer for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "must answer for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is responsible for something and must provide an explanation or justification for it. Example: "As the project manager, you must answer for the team's performance during the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

What to do about Texas is a question that each new generation must answer for itself.

The New Yorker

He says General Silva, as commander of the 58 Division, must answer for his father's death.

The Economist

The Obama administration must answer for its actions and be held accountable.

The New York Times

Ultimately it is Frankenstein who must answer for the monstrous act committed by his creation.

The Guardian

The arrival in force of American casino operators, who must answer for their behaviour overseas to regulators back home, helps.

The Economist

He must be alive and he must answer for the crimes against humanity that he committed," he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The decision eliminates standards for how quickly SNET must answer calls for service and directory assistance.

The New York Times

Each of us who cares about our country must answer this for ourselves.

Huffington Post

I won't deny that every single one of us needs to answer the question -- only that we must answer it for ourselves and then believe the answer -- before we will ever find the peace and self acceptance we seek.

Huffington Post

In both cases, the first question the Court must answer is whether for-profit corporations can have religious faith.

The New Yorker

The question of what is the optimal executive leadership structure is one the board must answer and be answerable for (though many of the following examples took place before the boardroom had the significance it has today); a director could not find a better starting place from which to view the issue than by looking at the following examples of tandem business success.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "must answer for" when you want to emphasize the obligation of someone to explain their actions or decisions, especially when there is a need for accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "must answer for" when the context only requires a simple explanation without implying a formal responsibility or potential consequences. In those scenarios, using "must explain" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must answer for" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating obligation and accountability. It signifies that someone is required to provide an explanation or justification for their actions or decisions. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in contexts where responsibility is being assessed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must answer for" is a frequently used and grammatically sound expression that emphasizes accountability and the obligation to provide justification. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to assign responsibility, often in contexts involving scrutiny or criticism. While typically neutral to professional in tone, the high frequency within "News & Media" sources suggests its broad applicability across various communication settings. When writing, remember that using more precise alternatives such as "is accountable for" can, eventually, improve the writing, but depends heavily on the specific intention you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is accountable for

Emphasizes the state of being responsible and liable for actions or decisions.

is responsible for

Highlights the obligation to fulfill duties and bear the consequences.

needs to justify

Focuses on the necessity to provide reasons or explanations for actions.

has to explain

Stresses the requirement to clarify or elaborate on a particular situation.

must be held liable

Indicates legal or moral responsibility for damages or wrongdoing.

should be sanctioned for

Implies that negative consequences should be imposed due to misdeeds.

is compelled to defend

Indicates a forced obligation to argue in favor of or justify something.

is obliged to clarify

Highlights the duty to make something clear or understandable.

is bound to explain

Conveys a firm duty or legal obligation to provide an explanation.

owes an explanation for

Suggests that there is a debt or obligation to provide justification.

FAQs

How can I use "must answer for" in a sentence?

The phrase "must answer for" is used to indicate that someone is responsible and accountable for something. For example: "The CEO "must answer for" the company's financial losses this quarter."

What is a more formal way to say "must answer for"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "is accountable for" or "is responsible for" to convey a similar meaning to "must answer for".

What's the difference between "must answer for" and "must explain"?

"Must answer for" implies a stronger sense of accountability and potential consequences compared to "must explain". "Must explain" simply means providing clarification, while "must answer for" suggests justification or defense against scrutiny.

When is it appropriate to use "must answer for"?

It is appropriate to use "must answer for" when someone is in a position of responsibility and their actions or decisions are being questioned, requiring them to provide a detailed explanation or justification. It implies a level of formal accountability.