take accountability for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take accountability for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing responsibility for actions or decisions, particularly in a professional or personal context. Example: "It's important to take accountability for your mistakes in order to learn and grow from them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

"It's one of those things you have to take accountability for.

The New York Times

Increasingly, said Ms. Peluso, "We are taking accountability for things we otherwise wouldn't take accountability for".

The New York Times - Travel

"We still have an extraordinary reputation, but we have made mistakes and we take accountability for them," Mr. Weldon said.

The New York Times

I've had to get to a point where he says, 'That was my fault,' to take accountability for his actions.

The New York Times - Sports

It also needs to take accountability for the decision to separate Royal Mail and the Post Office – huge mistake.

The Guardian - Business

Rather, it shows that you take accountability for your actions and decisions, something which is sorely lacking in today's society.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

They left him and they still haven't taken accountability for anything to do with that".

The Guardian

"The biggest strategic decision we had to make was taking accountability for the user experience," Mr. Myerson said.

The New York Times - Tech

To me, the answers to these questions matter less than the fact that Dre stepped up and performed his social responsibility by finally taking accountability for his actions.

The Guardian - Music

"Athletes like him, and others, who have voluntarily come in, taken accountability for their actions and have been fully truthful, are essential to securing a brighter future for the sport of cycling," Tygart said in an email.

The New York Times - Sports

In a telephone interview yesterday, Mr. Morello said: "The importance that the mayor has placed on education in general, and the lengths that he's gone to, including taking accountability for long-overdue critical change, make working in education at this time very exciting".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take accountability for", clearly specify the action or decision for which accountability is being assumed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example: "The manager must take accountability for the team's failure to meet the deadline".

Common error

Avoid using "take accountability for" without specifying what exactly is being accounted for. Saying "We take accountability" without context lacks substance. Be precise about the actions, decisions, or outcomes involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take accountability for" functions as a verb phrase, where "take" acts as the verb, "accountability" is the noun, and "for" is a preposition linking the accountability to a specific action or outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this functional usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take accountability for" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to convey the acceptance of responsibility. Ludwig AI validates this, showing its frequent use across varied contexts like news, business, and science. While "take responsibility for" is a close alternative, "take accountability for" emphasizes being answerable for specific outcomes. When using this phrase, it is crucial to specify the action to promote clarity. With authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employing this phrase, it maintains a neutral to professional register in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assume responsibility for

This alternative is very similar in meaning, but it uses "assume" instead of "take".

accept responsibility for

This option replaces "take" with "accept", which is more formal.

be responsible for

This focuses on the state of being responsible rather than the act of taking responsibility.

bear responsibility for

It replaces "take accountability" with a more formal verb phrase. It emphasizes the burden of responsibility.

be held accountable for

This shifts the focus to external assignment of responsibility.

own up to

This is an informal phrasal verb, conveying a sense of admitting fault.

answer for

This suggests being called upon to explain or justify actions.

shoulder the blame for

This conveys accepting blame, often for something negative.

face the consequences of

This emphasizes the negative outcomes linked to certain actions.

be liable for

Implies legal or financial responsibility.

FAQs

What does it mean to "take accountability for" something?

To "take accountability for" something means to accept responsibility for your actions, decisions, and their consequences. It involves acknowledging your role in an event and being prepared to answer for it.

Is there a difference between "take responsibility for" and "take accountability for"?

While similar, "take responsibility for" often implies a broader obligation, while "take accountability for" emphasizes being answerable and subject to evaluation for specific actions or outcomes.

How can I show that I "take accountability for" my mistakes?

You can show that you "take accountability for" your mistakes by acknowledging them, apologizing, explaining what happened, and outlining steps to prevent similar errors in the future.

What are some alternatives to "take accountability for"?

Some alternatives to "take accountability for" include "accept responsibility for", "assume responsibility for", or "own up to depending on the context".