Accountability: Usage and Pronunciation

Teacher Gu's English Class

Overview Meaning Pronunciation Usage Practice

accountability

/əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/
Noun Abstract concept

Basic Definition:The fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility

Etymology:From account + -ability, first recorded in 1790s

📚 Core Meanings

Personal Responsibility

Being answerable for one's actions and decisions

Accountability is crucial in leadership roles.
Accountability is crucial in leadership roles.
Ethics

Organizational Duty

Obligation to report and explain actions

Corporate accountability ensures transparency.
Corporate accountability ensures transparency.
Business

Legal Liability

Being legally responsible for outcomes

Financial accountability prevents fraud.
Financial accountability prevents fraud.
Law

"Accountability" is a fundamental concept in ethics, governance and management. It's widely used in professional contexts but also applies to personal development.

🔄 Usage Comparison

English Examples

Public officials must maintain accountability.

The new policy increases financial accountability.

Personal accountability leads to self-improvement.

Translations

Public officials must maintain accountability.

The new policy increases financial accountability.

Personal accountability leads to self-improvement.

🔊 Pronunciation Guide

British Pronunciation

/əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/

uh-KOWN-tuh-BIL-uh-tee

American Pronunciation

/əˌkaʊn.t̬əˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/

uh-KOWN-duh-BIL-uh-dee

Key Pronunciation Points:

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing as "a-count-ability" (missing schwa sounds)
  • Stressing the second syllable
  • Omitting the "t" sound in British pronunciation

🎯 Common Collocations

Public + accountability

Government transparency

Public accountability
Public accountability
Governance

Financial + accountability

Monetary responsibility

Financial accountability
Financial accountability
Economics

Hold + accountable

Make responsible

Hold accountable
Hold accountable
Management

Grammatical Forms

Noun: accountability
Adjective: accountable

⚠️ Common Confusions

Don't Confuse:

Accountability means blame. (Incorrect)

Correct:Accountability means responsibility.

Accountability and responsibility are identical. (Incorrect)

Correct:Accountability involves answerability for actions.

✍️ Practice Exercises

Translation Practice

1. Corporate accountability prevents misconduct.
2. The new law enhances political accountability.
3. Personal accountability is key to success.

1. Corporate accountability prevents misconduct.

2. The new law enhances political accountability.

3. Personal accountability is key to success.

Pronunciation Practice

Repeat these sentences:

• Accountability builds trust. [əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti]
• The organization lacks accountability. [əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti]
• We demand greater accountability. [əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti]

Error Correction

Identify and correct errors:

1. Accountability means avoiding responsibility.
2. Pronounced [a-KOUNT-a-bil-i-tee]
3. Accountability is unimportant in business.

1. Accountability means accepting responsibility.

2. Pronounced [əˌkaʊn.təˈbɪl.ə.ti] (with schwa sounds)

3. Accountability is essential in business.