will be held accountable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be held accountable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being assigned responsibility for their actions or decisions, often in a formal or legal setting. Example: "The company will be held accountable for any damages caused by its negligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Violators will be held accountable.

Independent

Crooked politicians will be held accountable.

The Guardian - Opinion

H.M.O.'s will be held accountable".

The New York Times

So who will be held accountable?

The New York Times

Soldiers who commit offenses will be held accountable as appropriate".

The New York Times

"When you do something wrong you will be held accountable".

Independent

Schools will be held accountable for their results.

The Economist

"Those principals will be held accountable for that.

The New York Times

Who will be held accountable for his death?

The Guardian

Who will be held accountable if crime rises?

The Guardian

The question now is whether they will be held accountable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be held accountable" when you want to emphasize that someone will be responsible for their actions and face the consequences. It's particularly effective in formal and official contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "will be held accountable" can sound overly formal or harsh in casual conversation. Consider using alternatives like "will be responsible" or "will face the consequences" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be held accountable" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something will be subjected to scrutiny and answer for their actions or decisions. Ludwig shows this phrase being used across various contexts to assign responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will be held accountable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that conveys the expectation of responsibility and potential consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in news and media, but also present in formal business and scientific contexts, the phrase maintains a formal to neutral tone. While versatile, it's advisable to use it judiciously in informal settings, opting for softer alternatives if necessary. Its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be responsible

Replaces "accountable" with a more general term for responsibility.

will be liable

Indicates legal responsibility, often in a financial context.

will face the consequences

Focuses on the negative outcomes of actions.

will answer for

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

will be brought to justice

Highlights the legal pursuit of wrongdoers.

will be penalized

Emphasizes the imposition of a punishment or fine.

will be sanctioned

Suggests a formal disapproval or punitive action.

will be censured

Implies a formal reprimand or condemnation.

will get what they deserve

Expresses a desire for a just, often negative, outcome.

will have to pay the price

Emphasizes the cost or sacrifice resulting from actions.

FAQs

How can I use "will be held accountable" in a sentence?

You can use "will be held accountable" to indicate that someone will be responsible for their actions and face consequences. For instance, "The company "will be held accountable" for any environmental damage caused by its operations."

What are some alternatives to "will be held accountable"?

Alternatives include "will be responsible", "will be liable", or "will face the consequences", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "will be held accountable" formal or informal?

"Will be held accountable" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in legal, business, and official contexts. For more casual situations, consider using alternatives.

Which is correct, "will be held accountable" or "will be held responsible"?

Both "will be held accountable" and "will be held responsible" are grammatically correct. However, "will be held accountable" carries a stronger implication of consequences or penalties.