should account for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should account for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something should be taken into consideration or explained. Example: All expenses should account for in your budget.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our literature should account for this.

The Guardian - Books

That probably should account for a few people.

The New York Times - Sports

Risk assessment should account for gender and life cycle differences.

Environmental Research

Tourism should account for 16% of the final total.

The Economist

"There is some argument about whether we should account for those emissions, but we do".

The New York Times - Magazine

They should account for trash the same way they account for money".

The New York Times

NGOs should account for the money they spend as contracted agents of donors.

The Guardian

"Heritage should account for something," said James J. Rhoades, a Republican state senator from Schuylkill County.

The New York Times

Straightforward information should account for a very small part of newspapers, Kelner said.

The Guardian

Accurate estimation of fragmentation effects should account for additive edge effects and edge age.

Forest Ecology and Management

Future studies should account for the horizontal bias in their designs and analyses.

Infant Behavior and Development

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should account for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what factors or elements need to be considered or included. For instance, "The budget should account for potential unexpected expenses."

Common error

Avoid vagueness by specifying what "should account for". Instead of saying "The plan should account for everything", be specific: "The plan should account for resource allocation, timelines, and potential risks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should account for" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating obligation or necessity in considering or including something. It suggests that a particular factor, element, or aspect needs to be taken into consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should account for" is a versatile expression indicating the necessity of considering or including something in a plan, calculation, or explanation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse fields. It is prevalent in scientific, news, and business contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. Related phrases include "ought to consider" and "should take into account". A key writing tip is to specify what needs to be accounted for to avoid vagueness. With 61 examples and authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes, "should account for" is a well-established and useful phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should take into account

Very similar in meaning, but uses "take into account" instead of "account for".

should factor in

Implies including something as a factor in a calculation or decision.

ought to consider

Replaces "account for" with a more general term for consideration, slightly less specific.

must take into consideration

Emphasizes the necessity of considering something, adding a sense of obligation.

should give consideration to

More formal and emphasizes the act of considering something carefully.

needs to allow for

Highlights the aspect of making allowances or adjustments for something.

should be mindful of

Emphasizes being aware and attentive to something important.

needs to provide for

Focuses on providing resources or planning for a specific need or event.

should remember to include

Highlights the act of remembering to add or incorporate something.

should not overlook

Emphasizes the importance of not forgetting or disregarding something.

FAQs

How to use "should account for" in a sentence?

Use "should account for" to indicate that something needs to be considered or included in a calculation or plan. For example, "The risk assessment "should account for" all potential hazards".

What can I say instead of "should account for"?

You can use alternatives like "should consider", "must take into consideration", or "should take into account" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "should account for" or "should take into account"?

Both ""should account for"" and "should take into account" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "should account for" and "should allow for"?

"Should account for" generally means to include or explain something, while "should allow for" implies making provisions or adjustments for something. For example, a budget ""should account for"" all expenses, while it "should allow for" unexpected costs.