Cool MateAccountability vs We have a responsibility
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accountability
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)C1noun
We have a responsibility
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: AccountabilityMost common: We have a responsibility
| Accountability | We have a responsibility | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˌkaʊntəˈbɪləti/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː hæv ə rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪləti//🇺🇸 //wi hæv ə rɪˌspɑnsəˈbɪlɪti// |
| Meaning | Being responsible for your actions and their effects. | It is our duty to do something. |
| Example | proposals for greater police accountability | As citizens, we have a responsibility to vote. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | lack of accountability, expect accountability, personal accountability, shared accountability | have a duty, take responsibility, share responsibility |
| Antonyms | irresponsibility, unaccountability | irresponsibility, carelessness |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'accountable' — 'accountability' is a noun., Using in informal settings — it's too formal for casual speech., Mispronouncing the word — ensure to emphasize the 'count' part. | Using 'responsibilities' in place of 'responsibility' when referring to a single obligation., Misplacing emphasis, leading to misunderstanding of the duty., Using 'have' incorrectly, e.g., 'we are responsibility' instead of 'we have a responsibility'. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal discussions about responsibility, ethics, or management. Not suitable for casual conversations or informal contexts. | This phrase is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts when discussing duties or obligations. Avoid slang contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accountability vs We have a responsibility
What's the difference between Accountability and We have a responsibility?
Accountability: Being responsible for your actions and their effects. We have a responsibility: It is our duty to do something.
Which is more formal: Accountability and We have a responsibility?
Accountability is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Accountability and We have a responsibility?
We have a responsibility is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Accountability: proposals for greater police accountability We have a responsibility: As citizens, we have a responsibility to vote.
Can I use Accountability and We have a responsibility interchangeably?
Not always. Accountability and We have a responsibility are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.