was accountable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was accountable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate responsibility for a particular action or outcome, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The manager was accountable for the project's success and ensured that all deadlines were met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Disposing metallic scrap was accountable for the most significant impact category, ecotoxicity potential.

Applied Energy

Officials said that monitoring — done weekly since the crisis began — was accountable for finding the contamination.

The New York Times

Poor Eisenhower, the supreme Allied commander, was accountable for a staggering 2.8 million.

The New York Times - Books

He conceded that as chair he was accountable for his actions.

The Guardian

He made sure I was accountable for my time and research direction.

Nature

At UBC, Celia oversaw global operations and was accountable for all product deliverable activities and service commitments.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mutual accountability: donors and recipients are accountable for results.

The Guardian

I am accountable for it.

The New York Times - Sports

"Who is accountable for failure?

The New York Times

I am accountable for my performance.

The Economist

"You should be accountable for your actions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was accountable for", clearly define the scope of responsibility to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify which actions, outcomes, or resources the subject was responsible for.

Common error

Avoid using "was accountable for" when the subject merely contributed to an outcome but did not have direct control or responsibility. Instead, use phrases like "contributed to" or "played a role in".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was accountable for" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It links a subject to a state of being responsible and answerable for something. Ludwig confirms that it's used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

34%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was accountable for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies responsibility and liability. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use across various professional and academic domains. While suitable for conveying formal obligations, it's important to define the scope of responsibility clearly and avoid misattributing accountability where direct control is lacking. Related phrases such as "was responsible for" and "was liable for" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance required. The phrase's versatility and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was responsible for

Indicates general responsibility but may not imply formal accountability as strongly.

was held responsible for

Highlights the act of someone being officially deemed accountable.

was liable for

Implies legal or financial responsibility, a more specific type of accountability.

was in charge of

Focuses on the role of managing or leading, which implies accountability.

oversaw the handling of

Emphasizes the act of supervising or managing a task or project, implying accountability.

bore the responsibility for

Emphasizes the burden of responsibility, adding a layer of weight or consequence.

had control over

Highlights the ability to manage or direct, which implies accountability for outcomes.

was to blame for

Indicates fault or causation of a negative outcome, a more negative connotation.

was the cause of

Focuses on direct causation rather than responsibility or accountability.

carried the can for

An informal idiom indicating that someone is taking the blame or responsibility, often unfairly.

FAQs

What does "was accountable for" mean?

The phrase "was accountable for" means that someone was responsible and answerable for their actions, decisions, or the outcomes associated with a specific task or area of responsibility. It indicates a formal obligation to explain or justify conduct.

What can I say instead of "was accountable for"?

You can use alternatives like "was responsible for", "was liable for", or "was in charge of" depending on the context.

How do I use "was accountable for" in a sentence?

Use "was accountable for" to indicate that someone had a duty to ensure something was done correctly and can be called upon to answer for its success or failure. Example: "The project manager was accountable for the project's success."

Is "was accountable for" formal or informal?

"Was accountable for" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. More informal alternatives might include phrases like "was in charge of".