to be accountable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be accountable for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing responsibility or obligation for actions, decisions, or outcomes. Example: "As a project manager, I am accountable for the success of the team and the completion of our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They need to be accountable for this".

The Guardian

You have to be accountable for your actions.

The New York Times

People will have to be accountable for their actions.

Independent

"Precinct commanders had to be accountable for an explanation".

The New York Times

"Our team has to be accountable for our mistakes.

The New York Times - Sports

We have to be accountable for our actions.

The New York Times

They agree to be accountable for costs and results.

The New Yorker

"He's going to pay for what happened … If I have to be accountable for my actions and for my past, he has to be accountable for his".

The Guardian

They communicate that The New York Times is trying to be accountable for its mistakes.

The New York Times

"If you take on a job, you've got to be accountable for it," she says.

The New Yorker

He said players would have to be accountable for their actions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Clearly define the scope of accountability. What exactly is the person or team responsible for?

Common error

Don't use "to be accountable for" interchangeably with "to be responsible for". Responsibility can be shared, but accountability usually rests with a single person or entity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be accountable for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating responsibility or obligation for specific actions, decisions, or outcomes. Ludwig provides numerous examples in diverse contexts where individuals or organizations are expected to answer for their conduct and its consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be accountable for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate responsibility and the obligation to answer for one's actions. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reputable sources, particularly in news, science, and business. When using this phrase, remember to distinguish it from mere responsibility and to clearly define the scope of accountability. Alternatives like "to be responsible for" or "to answer for" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be responsible for

Focuses more on the duty or obligation to handle something, less on the consequences of failure.

to be liable for

Implies legal or financial responsibility for something.

to answer for

Suggests a need to explain or justify one's actions.

to take responsibility for

Emphasizes the act of accepting ownership of a task, error, or outcome.

to be held responsible for

Highlights the act of being judged or considered the cause of something negative.

to be chargeable for

Implies responsibility in the context of costs or expenses.

to be blamed for

Indicates being assigned fault or guilt for a negative outcome.

to be subject to

Signifies being under the control or influence of something and dealing with the consequences.

to stand behind

Indicates support and willingness to defend or take ownership of something.

to be in charge of

Signifies having control or management of someone/something but not necessarily taking responsibility for all the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "to be accountable for" in a sentence?

You can use "to be accountable for" to indicate that someone is responsible for the outcome of their actions. For example, "The project manager is "to be accountable for" the project's success".

What's the difference between "to be responsible for" and "to be accountable for"?

"To be responsible for" means having a duty to do something, while "to be accountable for" means accepting the consequences of the outcome. You can be responsible for a task, but someone else might be "to be accountable for" its success.

What are some alternatives to "to be accountable for"?

Alternatives include "to be responsible for", "to be liable for", or "to answer for", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Can multiple people be accountable for the same thing?

While multiple people can share responsibility, accountability typically rests with a single individual or entity. It's about who ultimately has to answer for the results, even if others contributed to the work. Consider alternatives like 'to be responsible for' when distributing duties.