account for
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To explain the reason for something or to be the cause of something.
To provide a record or justification for something (especially money); to constitute a specified proportion; to be responsible for defeating or destroying someone or something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive phrasal verb. The meanings 'explain' and 'constitute' are distinct but related via the idea of providing a description or calculation of a whole. The 'destroy/defeat' meaning is often found in military or sports contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all core meanings equally. Slight preference for 'account for' (money) in formal British business contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both. The 'destroy' meaning can sound euphemistic or journalistic.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties across formal and academic registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP account for NPNP be accounted forVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hold someone to account (related)”
- “On account of (related causal phrase)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To explain expenditure or revenue; e.g., 'We must account for every pound in the budget.'
Academic
To explain a phenomenon or variable; e.g., 'This theory accounts for the observed data.'
Everyday
To explain one's actions or whereabouts; e.g., 'Can you account for your time yesterday?'
Technical
In statistics, to describe the proportion of variance explained by a model.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new model must account for seasonal fluctuations.
- How do you account for the missing artefacts?
- Renewables now account for over 40% of our energy.
American English
- The suspect couldn't account for his whereabouts.
- This factor accounts for most of the variance.
- Our defense accounted for three turnovers.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Bad weather accounts for the delay.
- Can you account for the extra charges on this bill?
- Teenagers account for a large part of our customer base.
- The report fails to account for recent economic shifts.
- This single error accounts for the system's overall failure.
- No existing theory adequately accounts for the paradox.
- The incumbent's complacency accounted for his unexpected electoral defeat.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bank ACCOUNT: you must FOR every transaction—explain where the money went.
Conceptual Metaphor
EXPLANATION IS A FINANCIAL RECKONING (to give an account).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "считать за" или "рассматривать как".
- Не смешивать с "account for" в смысле "учитывать" (лучше 'take into account').
- В значении "составлять процент" — это не "создавать счёт".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'account about' (incorrect).
- Omitting 'for': 'How do you account the loss?' (incorrect).
- Confusing with 'take into account' (to consider).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'Rice exports account for nearly half the country's revenue,' what does 'account for' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is inseparable. You cannot say 'account the money for'. It must be 'account for the money'.
'Account for' often implies providing a sufficient explanation for something specific, especially something unusual or requiring justification. 'Explain' is more general.
Yes, but this is a specialized, often journalistic or military usage, e.g., 'The fighter pilot accounted for two enemy aircraft.'
As 'be accounted for'. E.g., 'All passengers have been accounted for.' Meaning their presence/safety has been verified.