How to use "account for"

What Does "account for" Mean?

The expression "account for" is a versatile phrasal verb with three primary meanings. First, it means to provide an explanation or a reason for why something happened. Second, it is used to denote a specific proportion or percentage of a whole. Third, it means to track or be responsible for the location or status of people or objects.

The meaning is semi-idiomatic; while "account" relates to the concept of a record or story, the addition of the preposition "for" creates a specific functional unit that isn't entirely predictable from the individual words. The register is generally neutral to formal, making it a staple in academic, journalistic, and business English.

How to Use It

The grammatical pattern is always verb + preposition (particle) + noun/pronoun. Unlike many other phrasal verbs, "account for" is inseparable. You cannot place the object between "account" and "for."

Typical objects: percentages (20%, half), reasons (the disparity, the increase), or missing items (the equipment, the survivors).
What sounds unnatural: Using it as a transitive verb without "for" (e.g., "We must account the costs") is incorrect. Similarly, confusing it with "count for" (which means to have value) changes the meaning entirely.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from account for on Ludwig.guru.

"What might account for such a disparity?" — nytimes.com

"Today they account for half." — nytimes.com

"Several factors account for the rising prices." — nytimes.com

"He can only account for himself"." — theguardian.com

"How to account for this?" — plato.stanford.edu

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/account+for

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
explain	A more direct, common alternative when providing reasons.
make up	Used specifically for proportions or components of a whole.
constitute	Very formal; used to describe parts forming a whole.
responsible for	Focuses on the cause or the person in charge.
justify	Implies providing a defensive reason or validation.

Common Mistakes

Omission of the preposition: Learners often omit the preposition 'for' and treat 'account' as a transitive verb (e.g., "This accounts the delay" instead of "This accounts for the delay").
Confusion with 'count for': Learners often confuse it with 'count for' which implies having value or importance (e.g., "Experience counts for a lot" vs "Experience accounts for his success").
Separability errors: Trying to split the verb and preposition (e.g., "Account the error for") is ungrammatical.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
account for	To explain, constitute, or track	Verb + for + Object (Inseparable)	Neutral / Formal

FAQs

Can the parts of account for be separated by an object?

No, account for is an inseparable phrasal verb, meaning the direct object must always follow the preposition. You cannot say "account it for"; you must say "account for it."

What is the difference between account for and count for?

While account for means to explain a cause or represent a portion, count for means to be significant or have value. For example, "Hard work accounts for his wealth" explains the cause, whereas "Your opinion counts for a lot" highlights its importance.

Is it correct to use account without the preposition for?

In this context, no; learners often omit the preposition for and treat account as a transitive verb, which is a mistake. You must always include the preposition when you mean to explain or represent a percentage.

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