accountability
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
The state of being responsible for your actions or decisions and required to explain them.
A principle in governance, management, and ethics where individuals or organizations are held answerable for their conduct, performance, and use of resources. It implies oversight, transparency, and the expectation of justification.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with duty, answerability, and oversight. Implies a hierarchical or social relationship where one party has the right to demand an explanation. It often involves mechanisms for enforcement or consequences.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The concept is equally central in both political and corporate governance contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of transparency, good governance, and ethical responsibility. In political discourse, it can be a key term in debates about power and control.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English within corporate governance and public administration literature, but the difference is negligible.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
accountability for [noun phrase]accountability to [person/organisation]hold [person/organisation] accountable for [noun phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold someone's feet to the fire (implies enforcing accountability)”
- “the buck stops here (accepts ultimate accountability)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the obligation of managers and employees to report on their actions and use of company resources.
Academic
A key concept in political science, public administration, and ethics, concerning the relationship between power holders and citizens.
Everyday
Used to discuss being responsible for one's actions, e.g., parents teaching children accountability.
Technical
In IT and project management, refers to the clear assignment of ownership for tasks, decisions, and outcomes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The minister was held to account for the department's overspend.
- The committee aims to hold the executives accountable.
American English
- The CEO was held accountable for the data breach.
- We need to hold the government accountable for its promises.
adverb
British English
- He acted accountably throughout the crisis.
- The funds were used accountably and transparently.
American English
- The company operates accountably and ethically.
- She managed the project accountably.
adjective
British English
- The new law establishes a more accountable system of governance.
- She is a highly accountable manager.
American English
- We need accountable leadership.
- The police force must be more accountable to the community.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Teachers have accountability for their students' safety.
- The manager took accountability for the mistake.
- There is growing demand for greater political accountability.
- The report highlighted a lack of accountability in the organisation's financial dealings.
- The proposed reforms seek to enhance judicial accountability without compromising judicial independence.
- Corporate accountability extends beyond profit to encompass environmental and social impact.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a COUNT in an ACCOUNT book who is ABLE to explain every entry. ACCOUNT-ABILITY.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCOUNTABILITY IS A DEBT (you owe an explanation), ACCOUNTABILITY IS A WEIGHT (a burden of responsibility).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите как "учёт" или "отчётность" (это "accounting" или "reporting").
- Ближе по смыслу: "подотчётность", "ответственность (с обязанностью отчитаться)".
- Избегайте кальки "аккаунтабилити".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'responsibility' interchangeably in all contexts (responsibility is broader and doesn't always imply answerability to another party).
- Misspelling as 'accountibility'.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'responsibility' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'accountability' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Responsibility is the duty to perform a task or role. Accountability is the obligation to answer for the outcome of that task, usually to an authority. You can delegate responsibility, but not accountability.
Yes. While often discussed when it is lacking, fostering a 'culture of accountability' is seen as positive, promoting trust, integrity, and effective performance.
Primarily uncountable. You don't usually have 'an accountability' or 'accountabilities'. However, in business jargon, you might see 'accountabilities' to refer to specific areas of responsibility for which one is answerable.
'Answerability' is the closest single-word synonym, capturing the core idea of having to explain or justify one's actions.
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