hold them accountable for vs hold them accountable to

Both 'hold them accountable for' and 'hold them accountable to' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Hold them accountable for' is used when assigning responsibility or blame for something, while 'hold them accountable to' is used when referring to a standard or set of rules that someone is expected to follow.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 813 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when assigning responsibility or blame for something.

"hold them accountable for"

This phrase is used when someone is being held responsible or blamed for a particular action, decision, or outcome.

Examples:

We need to hold them accountable for their mistakes.
The company was held accountable for the environmental damage.
He was held accountable for the project's failure.

Show examples from the web [+]

Much more must be done to deter perpetrators and to hold them accountable for their actions.
But you can hold them accountable for their actions.
In the 21st century, potential tyrants and mass murderers will know in advance that the international community is prepared to hold them accountable for massive violations of human life and dignity.
MEPs emphasise, that the current situation in Russia gives rise to serious concern in terms of respect for human rights, democracy, freedom of expression and the rights of civil society and individuals to challenge authorities and hold them accountable for their actions.
Hold them accountable, please... for my wife and daughters.
You hold them accountable, and they will find the hostages for us.
I can't hold them accountable.
It is time to hold them accountable.
Adults should hold themselves accountable for failure.
We are trying to hold them accountable, all right?
There are really only 3 people that I hold accountable for my professional downfall, Agent.
Spain is one of the few countries in the EU which has no transparency law allowing citizens to oversee the activities of its various tiers of government (central, local and regional) and to hold them accountable.
But you hold Jack accountable for his inability to cure cancer.
After we get him, you can hold me accountable for everything.
Hold him accountable for the murder of Cindy Strauss and their unborn child.
The "no child left behind" act would now hold states accountable for not having students who met minimum education requirements.
Now let us hold him accountable for his unspeakable acts and exact justice by demanding...
Today, humanity holds him accountable for his crime.
When it comes to the resale of securities, the investor needs to know who to hold accountable for the accuracy and currency of information.
Our system of justice holds us accountable for our actions.

Alternatives:

make them accountable for
assign accountability for
blame them for
responsibility lies with them for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a standard or set of rules that someone is expected to follow.

"hold them accountable to"

This phrase is used when someone is expected to adhere to a particular standard, rule, or expectation.

Examples:

Employees are held accountable to the company's code of conduct.
Students are held accountable to the school's academic policies.
Politicians should be held accountable to the voters.

Show examples from the web [+]

You hold them accountable, and they will find the hostages for us.
I can't hold them accountable.
Hold them accountable, please... for my wife and daughters.
It is time to hold them accountable.
Much more must be done to deter perpetrators and to hold them accountable for their actions.
But you can hold them accountable for their actions.
We are trying to hold them accountable, all right?
In the 21st century, potential tyrants and mass murderers will know in advance that the international community is prepared to hold them accountable for massive violations of human life and dignity.
MEPs emphasise, that the current situation in Russia gives rise to serious concern in terms of respect for human rights, democracy, freedom of expression and the rights of civil society and individuals to challenge authorities and hold them accountable for their actions.
Spain is one of the few countries in the EU which has no transparency law allowing citizens to oversee the activities of its various tiers of government (central, local and regional) and to hold them accountable.
I even found someone I hold myself accountable to.
And we believe that as designers, it holds us accountable to our customers.
I mean, they hold you accountable to all your actions in a burn.
We must hold everyone in government accountable to the law.
I wonder who he holds accountable...
Let us hold accountable a system that allows de facto imprisonment of opposition leaders.
Adults should hold themselves accountable for failure.
How about we hold them just slightly accountable?
Possible to hold accountable the person responsible for killing an American on American soil, before they leave the country, while we still have a chance.
There are really only 3 people that I hold accountable for my professional downfall, Agent.

Alternatives:

hold them responsible to
adhere to
be accountable to
be answerable to

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hold them accountable for vs hold them accountable to