will be liable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be liable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is subject to a particular obligation or consequence in the future. Example: "If you fail to comply with the regulations, you will be liable to face penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

As of January he will be liable to a modest business tax of up to 10%.

The Guardian

You will be liable to pay the bailiffs' costs which could substantially increase the debt.

The Guardian

Those who stay will be liable to a reduced life expectancy due to the noise and particulate pollution.

The Guardian

Anyone who owns a house in London these days will be liable to have inheritance tax levied on their estate.

The Guardian

He added: "We will be looking at whether there are grounds for prosecution and if the answer is yes, then who will be liable to prosecution.

The Guardian

You then divide this figure by three to work out the amount of gain each of you will be liable to pay tax on.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

When you do, you'll be liable to pay ordinary income taxes on anything above your original cost basis instead of the much lower (currently 15%) rate on long-term capital gains that applies to taxable accounts.

Forbes

Violators will be liable for up to $250 per e-mail violation, up to a cap of $2 million, except in extreme circumstances when the fine could be tripled.

The New York Times

If the plant fails to earn a high return, the firm will still be liable to repay the bond.

The Economist

Brazil, however, will always be liable to moments of carelessness and Sánchez's equaliser also gave the game a clear sense that the host nation might be vulnerable.

The Guardian - Sport

Tax issues You will not be liable to UK tax on your UK pension if you live in a country which has a double taxation agreement with the UK.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be liable to" when you want to clearly state a potential future obligation or consequence resulting from a specific action or situation.

Common error

Avoid using "will be liable to" when the obligation is uncertain or only a remote possibility. Instead, use more conditional language such as "may be liable to" or "could be liable to" to reflect the level of uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be liable to" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a future obligation or responsibility. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples where it signifies a legal or contractual obligation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will be liable to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express future obligations or responsibilities. Ludwig's analysis shows it's frequently used in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts, indicating its broad applicability. The phrase suggests a clear, direct consequence resulting from a specific action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you intend to clearly state a future obligation or consequence. Alternatives like "will be subject to" or "will be responsible for" can be used depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be subject to

Replaces "liable" with "subject", focusing on the state of being under obligation.

will be responsible for

Emphasizes the responsibility aspect of being liable.

will be held responsible for

Similar to "will be responsible for" but more formal.

will be accountable for

Highlights the accountability aspect of being liable.

will have to pay for

Specifically refers to financial responsibility.

will incur

Focuses on incurring a cost or penalty.

will face

Highlights the confrontation of consequences.

will be at risk of

Suggests a potential negative outcome.

will be exposed to

Focuses on exposure to potential consequences.

will answer for

Emphasizes answering for one's actions.

FAQs

What does "will be liable to" mean?

The phrase "will be liable to" means someone or something will be legally responsible for something, such as a debt, penalty, or obligation, in the future.

How can I use "will be liable to" in a sentence?

You can use "will be liable to" to indicate future responsibility. For example: "If you break the contract, you "will be liable to" pay damages."

What can I say instead of "will be liable to"?

You can use alternatives like "will be subject to", "will be responsible for", or "will be accountable for" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "will be liable to" and "may be liable to"?

"Will be liable to" implies a higher degree of certainty about the future obligation, while "may be liable to" suggests a possibility, but not a certainty, of being held responsible.