was held responsible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was held responsible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing accountability or blame in a situation, often in a passive construction. Example: "After the investigation, it was determined that he was held responsible for the project's failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And so no heads rolled and no one took responsibility or was held responsible.

Huffington Post

He was held responsible for it.

The New York Times - Sports

Stalin was held responsible for millions of deaths.

The New York Times

Benedek was held responsible for the defeat and was retired.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Neither man was held responsible for his fighters' sexual crimes.

The Economist

No one was held responsible for the intelligence failures of 9/11; no one was held responsible for the lack of planning in postwar Iraq; and no one high up was held responsible for Abu Ghraib.

The New York Times

They were, however, put to death, and Megacles was held responsible.

Britannica

Use of the foot pedal was held responsible for fallen arches and flat feet.

Nature

Exxon was held responsible for the disaster, and Mr. Bush was mostly spared criticism.

The New York Times

A subordinate had an accident and my father was held responsible".

The Guardian

Dr. Ioachin Oana was held responsible and expelled from the Games.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was held responsible", clearly state the specific action or outcome for which the person or entity was held accountable. Providing context strengthens the statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was held responsible" without specifying the consequences or actions taken as a result. Failing to outline the specific repercussions can weaken the impact and leave the reader questioning the extent of accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was held responsible" functions as a passive construction indicating that an entity or individual received blame or accountability for a particular action or event. As Ludwig AI notes, it is considered grammatically correct for usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was held responsible" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for assigning accountability or blame. As Ludwig AI explains, it's effective in various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and scientific writings. While neutral in register, it's important to provide specific context to clarify the action and consequence to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include phrases such as "was deemed accountable" or "was found liable" for different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deemed accountable

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the process of assigning accountability.

was found liable

This alternative is typically used in legal contexts to indicate legal responsibility.

was blamed

This alternative is less formal and implies that someone is assigned fault or responsibility.

was considered culpable

This alternative is formal and indicates moral blameworthiness.

was assigned responsibility

This alternative is more neutral and focuses on the act of assigning responsibility.

was attributed fault

This alternative highlights the specific action of assigning fault for something.

carried the can

An idiomatic expression that means to accept blame or punishment for something, often to protect someone else.

took the rap

An informal expression signifying accepting blame, whether justly or unjustly.

was made the scapegoat

This indicates that someone was unfairly blamed for something to deflect responsibility from others.

shouldered the blame

This suggests that someone willingly accepted the blame, often out of a sense of duty.

FAQs

What does "was held responsible" mean?

The phrase "was held responsible" means that someone or something was deemed accountable for a particular action, event, or outcome. It implies that blame or obligation has been assigned.

How can I use "was held responsible" in a sentence?

You can use "was held responsible" in a sentence like this: "The company "was held responsible" for the environmental damage caused by the oil spill."

What are some alternatives to "was held responsible"?

Some alternatives to "was held responsible" include "was deemed accountable", "was found liable", or "was blamed", depending on the specific context.

Is "was held responsible" formal or informal?

"Was held responsible" is considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, using more specific alternatives like "was deemed accountable" or "was found liable" may be more appropriate in formal or legal settings.