account for
en
en
Change language
Translating...
/əˈkaʊnt fɔr/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
To explain why something happened or how it happened.
Examples
He accounted for the missing funds by claiming a clerical error.
She always accounts for her team's input before making a decision.
The report accounts for the rise in sales by noting the new advertising campaign.
She accounts for every detail, so nothing surprises her.
When budgeting, you must account for unexpected expenses.
Similar words
clarify
justifyinclude
explain
consider
factor in
Meanings
Examples
The report accounts for the rise in sales by noting the new advertising campaign.
He accounted for the missing funds by claiming a clerical error.
They are accounting for the weather delays in their schedule.
She accounts for every detail, so nothing surprises her.
The manager accounts for the failure, but the team feels it is just an excuse.
Researchers account for variables such as age and income in their analysis.
Examples
When budgeting, you must account for unexpected expenses.
The engineer accounts for material fatigue in the design.
We need to account for the time it takes to travel between sites.
She always accounts for her team's input before making a decision.
The software accounts for different user settings automatically.
They accounted for the risk of rain by bringing umbrellas.
FAQ
What does account for mean?
It means to give a reason or explanation for something.
How do you use account for to explain a cause?
Use it when you describe why something happened, e.g., "We need to account for the rain."
When should I account for something in a calculation?
Use it when you need to consider a factor in planning or computing, such as "Account for taxes."
Is account for the same as explain?
It is similar to explain, but account for often implies a formal or analytical reason.
Can account for be used in technical writing?
Yes, it is common in technical contexts to mean "include" or "consider" factors.
What is the difference between account for and include?
Account for means to consider or include something, while include simply adds it without necessarily giving a reason.
How do I account for variables in a budget?
List each expense and then account for each item to see its impact on the total.
Does account for require a reason or just mention?
It requires giving a reason or explanation, not just mentioning the item.
Can account for be used in everyday conversation?
It is neutral and can be used in everyday speech to mean "explain."
How is account for used in the phrase "account for the delay"?
It means to explain the reason behind the delay.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.