reports to

USAGE SUMMARY

"reports to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate when one person is responsible to another for their performance. For example: "The department manager reports to the CEO of the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He reports to Ms. Whitman.

The New York Times

Howe reports to Brittin.

The Guardian

O'Connell reports to Sinden.

The New York Times - Sports

But the authority reports to the president.

The New York Times

Broadcasts activity reports to Twitter and Facebook.

The New York Times - Tech

MI6 reports to the Foreign Office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He reports to the board's chairman.

The New York Times

Meanwhile Seitz's reports to Pulitzer continued.

The New York Times

MI5 reports to the Home Office.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She reports to Mr. Klein.

The New York Times

She reports to the police?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reports to", clearly define the scope of responsibility and the nature of the reporting relationship. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the frequency and type of reports expected.

Common error

Avoid using "reports to" without specifying what the subordinate is responsible for reporting. Instead of saying "He reports to the manager", specify "He reports the weekly sales figures to the manager."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reports to" functions as a relational verb phrase, indicating a hierarchical relationship between individuals or entities. Ludwig AI shows that it connects a subject (the person or entity reporting) to an object (the person or entity being reported to).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reports to" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe hierarchical relationships, particularly within organizations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a clear and direct way to indicate who is responsible to whom. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and scientific contexts, it maintains a professional and neutral register. When using "reports to", ensure clarity by specifying the scope of responsibility. For alternatives, consider phrases like "is accountable to" or "is responsible to" for similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is accountable to

Emphasizes accountability and responsibility towards someone.

is responsible to

Highlights the responsibility one has to another.

answers to

Suggests the obligation to explain actions or decisions.

is answerable to

Similar to "answers to" but emphasizes the requirement to justify actions.

is supervised by

Focuses on the act of being overseen by someone.

is managed by

Indicates that someone is in charge of another's work.

is overseen by

Similar to "is supervised by" but can imply a broader oversight role.

is under the authority of

Emphasizes the power dynamic and hierarchical structure.

is subordinate to

Highlights a lower rank or position in a hierarchy.

is directed by

Suggests that someone receives instructions or guidance from another.

FAQs

How to use "reports to" in a sentence?

Use "reports to" to show a direct line of authority or supervision. For example, "The project manager "reports to" the director of operations."

What can I say instead of "reports to"?

You can use alternatives like "is accountable to", "is responsible to", or "answers to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, the Project Manager "is accountable to" the Director of Operations.

Which is correct, "reports to" or "reports into"?

"Reports to" is the standard and grammatically correct phrasing. "Reports into" is less common and can sound awkward to some speakers.

What's the difference between "reports to" and "works with"?

"Reports to" implies a direct hierarchical relationship with supervisory responsibilities. "Works with" simply suggests collaboration without implying a direct line of authority.