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A2 verb #413 よく出る 12分で読める

account

上位413

At the A1 level, the word 'account' is usually seen as a noun, like a 'bank account' or a 'Facebook account'. However, as a verb, it is very rare. If an A1 student encounters it, they should think of it as a very formal way to say 'explain' or 'tell why'. Imagine a teacher asking, 'Why are you late?' That is the basic idea of 'accounting for' something. It is about giving a reason for an action. At this stage, you don't need to use it yourself, but you might see it in very simple stories about money or school rules. Just remember: Account + For = Give a reason.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'account for' in two main ways. First, to explain a reason for something. For example, 'The rain accounts for why I am wet.' Second, you use it to talk about parts of a whole, especially with numbers. If you have ten apples and two are red, you can say, 'Red apples account for 20% of my fruit.' This is a very useful way to talk about simple statistics in your speaking or writing tests. You should practice using 'account for' instead of always saying 'is' or 'are' when talking about percentages. It makes your English sound more organized and professional.

At the B1 level, 'account for' becomes an important tool for describing processes and responsibilities. You will use it to explain results in a workplace or school project. For instance, 'We need to account for the extra costs in our budget.' It implies that you are being careful and responsible. You will also see it in the passive voice: 'Is everyone accounted for?' This is common in travel or safety contexts. At this level, you should be comfortable using 'account for' to connect a cause to an effect in a logical way. It helps you move away from simple sentences to more complex, descriptive ones.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'account for' with precision in formal essays and reports. You should use it to discuss complex data, such as 'Social media usage accounts for a significant shift in modern communication patterns.' You also use it to express that something is a factor in a situation: 'His illness accounts for his recent lack of productivity.' At this level, you understand the nuance that 'account for' is more formal than 'explain'. You also recognize the idiom 'take into account,' which means to consider something before making a decision. Your usage should be natural and grammatically correct, always including the 'for'.

At the C1 level, 'account for' is a standard part of your academic and professional vocabulary. You use it to handle abstract concepts and multi-faceted explanations. For example, 'How do we account for the persistence of poverty in developed nations?' Here, the word is used to open a deep, analytical discussion. You also use it in more sophisticated grammatical structures, such as 'Having accounted for the initial variables, the researchers moved to the next phase.' You understand that 'account for' can also mean to destroy or kill in a military or hunting context, though this is specialized. You use the word to show a high level of control over formal register.

At the C2 level, you use the verb 'account' with complete mastery, including its rarer and more archaic forms. You might use it to mean 'consider' in a literary sense: 'He was accounted the finest architect of his generation.' You use 'account for' to weave complex arguments where multiple factors contribute to a single outcome. You are also aware of the philosophical implications of 'accountability' and how the verb 'account' underpins the concept of moral and legal responsibility. You can use it fluently in any context, from a high-level legal brief to a nuanced literary critique, choosing it specifically for its connotations of systematic rigor and formal justification.

練習する例文メモとヒント

account 30秒で

The verb 'account' (usually 'account for') means to provide a reason or explanation for a situation, often implying a sense of duty or responsibility.
In a mathematical or statistical context, 'account for' means to make up or constitute a specific portion, percentage, or amount of a total.
It is also used in safety and emergency situations to mean that the location and well-being of a person have been confirmed and recorded.
Grammatically, it is a regular verb that almost always requires the preposition 'for' to function correctly as an explanatory or proportional phrasal verb.

The verb account, most commonly used in the phrasal form account for, is a versatile pillar of the English language that bridges the gap between simple explanation and rigorous mathematical proportion. At its core, to account for something is to provide a justification, a reason, or a narrative that makes an event or situation understandable. It is the verbal equivalent of balancing a ledger; just as an accountant ensures every penny is noted, a person who accounts for their actions ensures every moment or decision is explained. This word is indispensable in professional, academic, and legal environments where accountability is paramount.

The Explanatory Aspect: When you account for a mistake or a delay, you are giving the 'why' behind the 'what'. It implies a level of responsibility. For example, if a project is late, the manager must account for the lost time by citing specific obstacles.

The CEO was called to account for the company's sudden drop in profits during the quarterly meeting.

Beyond explanation, the word takes on a statistical meaning. In this context, it describes how much of a whole is made up by a specific part. This is frequently seen in scientific reports, economic summaries, and demographic studies. If we say that 'transportation accounts for 20% of carbon emissions,' we are defining the slice of the pie chart that transportation occupies. This dual nature—part narrative, part mathematical—makes it a high-utility word for students and professionals alike.

The Presence Aspect: In emergency situations, 'accounting for' someone means confirming their safety and location. After a fire drill, teachers must account for every student in their class.

After the earthquake, all hikers were finally accounted for by the rescue teams.

In everyday conversation, you might hear this word when someone is being held responsible. It carries a weight of formality. While you might 'explain' why you were late to a friend, you 'account for' your tardiness to a strict employer. The word suggests that a formal record or a serious judgment is being made. It is also common in the world of finance and gambling, where one must account for every dollar spent or lost. Understanding this word helps you navigate formal systems where precision and responsibility are expected.

The Statistical Context: When discussing data, 'account for' is the standard way to link a cause to an effect or a subset to a total. It is the language of evidence-based reasoning.

High winds account for most of the damage seen in the coastal regions this year.

Using the verb account correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical partnership with the preposition for. While 'account' can exist as a noun (a bank account), as a verb, it almost exclusively functions as a phrasal verb. The structure usually follows: [Subject] + [account/accounts/accounted] + [for] + [Noun Phrase/Amount]. This structure is consistent across its different meanings, whether you are explaining a behavior or citing a statistic.

Subject-Verb Agreement: Because 'account' is a regular verb, it follows standard conjugation: I account, he accounts, they accounted. In the third person singular, don't forget the 's'. Example: 'This single factor accounts for the entire discrepancy.'

Can you account for your whereabouts on the night of the fourteenth?

When using the verb to describe proportions, the object of the preposition 'for' is typically a percentage, a fraction, or a descriptive amount. For instance, 'The Asian market accounts for nearly half of our global sales.' Here, the verb acts as a bridge between the subject (the market) and its contribution (half of sales). This is a very common pattern in business writing and academic essays where data visualization is translated into text.

Using 'Account for' to Explain: When the meaning is 'to explain,' the object is usually a situation, a problem, or a result. Example: 'Bad weather accounts for the delay in shipping.'

Scientists are still trying to account for the mysterious disappearance of the colony.

In more complex sentences, you might see 'account for' used with gerunds (verb-ing). For example, 'His lack of experience accounts for him making so many mistakes.' However, it is more elegant to say, 'His lack of experience accounts for the many mistakes he made.' The verb is also frequently used in the infinitive form after 'have to' or 'must,' emphasizing the obligation to provide an answer. 'You will have to account for every cent you spent on the business trip.'

Negative Constructions: You can use 'cannot account for' to express mystery or confusion. 'I cannot account for his strange behavior lately' means I have no idea why he is acting that way.

Does this list account for all the guests who were invited?

The verb account is a staple of formal communication, making it a frequent guest in news broadcasts, corporate boardrooms, and academic journals. If you turn on a financial news channel like Bloomberg or CNBC, you will almost certainly hear analysts discussing how certain sectors account for market volatility. They might say, 'Tech stocks account for the majority of today's gains.' In this environment, the word provides a sense of authority and mathematical certainty.

In the News: Journalists use 'account for' when reporting on disasters or police investigations. You'll hear phrases like 'Police are still trying to account for two missing persons' or 'The governor must account for the use of emergency funds.'

The report states that human error accounts for over ninety percent of all traffic accidents.

In the workplace, particularly during performance reviews or project debriefs, the word is used to demand or provide justification. A supervisor might ask an employee to 'account for the time spent on the last phase of the project.' This isn't just asking for a story; it's asking for a detailed breakdown of activities. Similarly, in the world of non-profit organizations, donors often want to know how their contributions are being used, requiring the organization to 'account for every dollar donated.'

In Science and Academia: Researchers use the term to explain variables in an experiment. 'We must account for the change in temperature when calculating the results' means the temperature change must be included in the explanation.

Genetic factors account for only a small portion of the patient's overall health condition.

You will also encounter this word in legal settings. A defendant might be asked to 'account for' their actions on a specific date. In this context, the word is synonymous with 'justify' or 'provide an alibi.' If you are reading a classic novel or a historical document, 'account' might be used to mean 'consider' or 'regard' (e.g., 'He was accounted a hero by his peers'), though this usage is less common in modern spoken English. Today, it is firmly rooted in the realms of responsibility and statistics.

In Emergency Services: Firefighters and search-and-rescue teams use the phrase 'all persons accounted for' to signal that everyone has been found and is safe. It is a phrase of great relief.

The airline is working hard to account for all the luggage that was lost during the system failure.

The most frequent error learners make with the verb account is omitting the preposition for. Because many synonyms like 'explain' or 'constitute' are transitive verbs that take a direct object, students often try to use 'account' the same way. However, 'account' is an intransitive verb in this sense and requires 'for' to connect to its object. Saying 'He couldn't account his behavior' is grammatically incorrect; it must be 'He couldn't account for his behavior.'

The Missing 'For': Incorrect: 'The small shops account 10% of the market.' Correct: 'The small shops account FOR 10% of the market.' This is the #1 mistake even at intermediate levels.

Please account for (not just 'account') the missing funds in your report.

Another common mistake is confusing the verb 'account' with the noun 'account'. While they are related, they function differently. You 'open an account' (noun), but you 'account for' (verb) your spending. Some learners also confuse 'account for' with 'count'. While 'count' means to determine the total number (1, 2, 3...), 'account for' means to explain why that number exists or to make up a portion of it. You count the students, but you account for the student who is missing.

Tense and Passive Voice Errors: Learners often struggle with the passive form. It's 'The money is accounted for,' not 'The money is accounted.' The 'for' must stay with the verb even in the passive voice.

All the passengers have been accounted for after the emergency landing.

Misusing the word in informal contexts is also a subtle mistake. Using 'account for' when you're just telling a friend why you're late can sound overly stiff or even suspicious, as if you're in a police interrogation. Use 'explain' for friends and 'account for' for bosses, teachers, or official reports. Finally, be careful with the meaning 'to consider'. While you might read 'He was accounted wise,' this is very old-fashioned. In modern English, use 'considered' or 'thought of as' instead.

Preposition Overload: Sometimes learners add extra prepositions, like 'account for about'. While 'about' can be used for estimates, 'account for' is enough. 'It accounts for 10%' is better than 'It accounts for about 10%' unless you are really unsure.

The teacher asked him to account for his poor grades this semester.

To truly master the verb account, it helps to see how it compares to its neighbors in the English lexicon. Depending on whether you are using it to mean 'explain' or 'make up a part of,' different synonyms will apply. Choosing the right one can change the tone of your writing from casual to academic or from vague to precise.

Account for vs. Explain: 'Explain' is general and can be used for anything. 'Account for' implies a responsibility to provide that explanation. You explain a math problem, but you account for a missing piece of equipment.
Account for vs. Constitute: 'Constitute' is more formal and often used in legal or structural contexts. 'Women constitute 50% of the population' is similar to 'Women account for 50% of the population,' but 'account for' is more common in statistical reporting.

While 'explain' tells us why, account for often tells us where the resources or people went.

When you are talking about percentages, other alternatives include 'make up,' 'comprise,' and 'represent.' 'Make up' is the most informal: 'Rent makes up half of my expenses.' 'Represent' is often used in political or symbolic contexts: 'This group represents a small minority.' 'Account for' remains the strongest choice for financial and scientific data where one thing is the cause or the component of another.

Account for vs. Answer for: 'Answer for' is much more accusatory. If you have to 'answer for' your crimes, you are facing punishment. If you 'account for' your actions, you are simply explaining them.

The sales team accounts for the largest portion of the company's annual budget.

In the context of 'finding everyone,' synonyms include 'locate,' 'track down,' or 'verify the whereabouts of.' 'Account for' is the specific term used in safety protocols. If a building is evacuated, the safety officer doesn't just 'find' people; they 'account for' them against a list. This distinction highlights the systematic nature of the word 'account.' It is always tied to a system, a list, a budget, or a set of expectations.

Summary of Alternatives: Use 'explain' for general reasons, 'make up' for casual percentages, 'constitute' for formal structures, and 'justify' for defending an action.

Does this theory account for all the observed phenomena in the experiment?

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

ニュートラル

カジュアル

Child friendly

スラング

豆知識

The dual meaning of 'account' (to count numbers and to tell a story) exists in many languages. For example, in German, 'erzählen' (to tell) is related to 'zählen' (to count).

発音ガイド

UK /əˈkaʊnt/

US /əˈkaʊnt/

The stress is on the second syllable: ac-COUNT.

韻が合う語

count mount amount surmount recount discount fount paramount

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the 'a' at the beginning too strongly like 'ay' or 'ah'. It should be a soft schwa.
Forgetting the 't' sound at the end.
Stress on the first syllable (AC-count), which is incorrect for both the noun and the verb.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'amount', though they rhyme.
Adding an extra syllable like 'ac-count-ed' when only the base verb is needed.

難易度

読解 3/5

Common in news and textbooks, but the context usually makes the meaning clear.

ライティング 4/5

Requires remembering the preposition 'for' and using it in the correct formal context.

スピーキング 4/5

Less common in casual speech, so learners might forget to use it when appropriate.

リスニング 3/5

Easily recognized, though can be confused with the noun 'account'.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

explain count reason part money

次に学ぶ

justify constitute comprise attribute responsibility

上級

explicate substantiate enumerate proportionate liable

知っておくべき文法

Phrasal Verbs with 'For'

Just as 'wait' takes 'for', 'account' takes 'for' to connect to an object.

Passive Voice in Safety

'All students were accounted for' uses the past participle after 'to be'.

Subject-Verb Agreement

'This reason accounts for...' vs 'These reasons account for...'

Gerunds as Objects

You can say 'He accounted for being late by citing the traffic.'

Infinitive of Purpose

He spoke to the board to account for the budget changes.

レベル別の例文

Can you account for the missing pencil?

Can you explain where the pencil is?

Use 'account for' to ask for an explanation.

He must account for his time at school.

He must tell what he did at school.

Must + verb (account).

Does this money account for the bread?

Is this money for the bread?

Question form with 'does'.

She accounts for her mistakes.

She explains her mistakes.

Third person singular 'accounts'.

They accounted for the lost cat.

They found the lost cat and explained where it was.

Past tense 'accounted'.

We account for every dollar.

We explain how we spend every dollar.

Present simple for a habit.

Please account for the noise.

Please explain the noise.

Imperative (command) form.

I cannot account for the rain.

I cannot explain why it is raining.

Negative form with 'cannot'.

Small cars account for 50% of sales.

Small cars make up half of the sales.

Using 'account for' with percentages.

How do you account for the broken window?

How do you explain the broken window?

Question with 'how'.

The teacher accounted for all the students.

The teacher checked that all students were there.

Past tense meaning 'checked presence'.

Rain accounts for the green grass.

The rain is the reason the grass is green.

Linking cause and effect.

He couldn't account for the missing keys.

He couldn't explain where the keys were.

Modal 'couldn't' + verb.

Apples account for most of the fruit in the basket.

Most of the fruit in the basket are apples.

Using 'most of' as the object.

Does this report account for the extra costs?

Does this report explain the extra costs?

Interrogative form.

They accounted for every person in the building.

They made sure everyone in the building was safe.

Safety context.

The increase in prices accounts for the lower sales this month.

Higher prices are the reason sales are lower.

Connecting two business trends.

You will have to account for your behavior to the principal.

You must explain your actions to the head of the school.

Future obligation with 'will have to'.

Is every item on the list accounted for?

Is every item present and checked?

Passive voice 'is accounted for'.

Technical problems account for the delay in the flight.

The flight is late because of technical issues.

Plural subject 'problems' + 'account'.

The company must account for its environmental impact.

The company must explain how it affects nature.

Modal 'must' + verb.

Tourism accounts for a large part of the country's income.

The country gets a lot of money from tourists.

Economic context.

I can't account for the fact that he didn't call.

I don't know why he didn't call.

Using 'the fact that' as a clause.

The witness was asked to account for her movements that day.

The witness had to say where she went.

Passive 'was asked to account'.

Agricultural runoff accounts for much of the pollution in the river.

Pollution in the river is mostly caused by farm waste.

Scientific/Environmental context.

The CEO was called to account for the company's financial losses.

The CEO had to explain why the company lost money.

Idiom 'called to account'.

Recent studies account for the change in bird migration patterns.

New research explains why birds are moving differently.

Academic context.

The missing funds have not yet been accounted for.

Nobody has explained where the missing money is yet.

Present perfect passive.

How do you account for the discrepancy between these two reports?

Why are these two reports different?

Formal inquiry.

The new law accounts for the needs of disabled citizens.

The new law considers and includes what disabled people need.

Meaning 'to include or consider'.

Exports account for nearly one-third of the nation's GDP.

One-third of the country's wealth comes from selling things abroad.

Precise statistical usage.

He struggled to account for the sudden shift in public opinion.

He found it hard to explain why people changed their minds.

Infinitive 'to account' after 'struggled'.

The theory fails to account for the influence of external variables.

The theory doesn't explain how outside factors change things.

Academic critique.

The auditor required the manager to account for every transaction.

The auditor made the manager explain every single payment.

Formal business requirement.

Several factors account for the unprecedented rise in global temperatures.

Many things are causing the record-breaking heat.

Complex causation.

Can the minister account for the use of public funds during the crisis?

Can the government official justify how taxpayer money was spent?

Political accountability.

The model must account for the possibility of a total system failure.

The plan must include what happens if everything breaks.

Risk management context.

His silence was accounted for by his deep sense of shock.

He was silent because he was very shocked.

Passive voice with 'by' agent.

Renewable energy now accounts for a significant portion of the grid.

A large part of our electricity now comes from sun and wind.

Modern industrial context.

The defendant was unable to account for his whereabouts at the time of the crime.

The person accused couldn't say where he was when the crime happened.

Legal/Criminal context.

The philosopher sought to account for the existence of evil in a perfect world.

The thinker tried to explain why bad things happen.

Abstract philosophical usage.

In the final analysis, he was accounted a man of great integrity.

In the end, everyone considered him to be very honest.

Archaic/Literary meaning 'to consider'.

The sheer scale of the project accounts for the logistical nightmares we faced.

The project was so big that it caused many difficult problems.

Emphasizing scale as a cause.

How does your hypothesis account for the anomalies detected in the data?

How does your idea explain the strange results we found?

Scientific inquiry into outliers.

The autobiography accounts for his rise from poverty to political power.

The book tells the story of how he became powerful.

Narrative explanation.

The treaty must account for the sovereignty of all participating nations.

The agreement must respect and include the independence of every country.

Diplomatic/Legal context.

The captain had to account for the loss of his ship to the admiralty.

The captain had to explain why his ship sank to his superiors.

Historical/Military accountability.

Evolutionary biology accounts for the diversity of life on Earth.

The science of evolution explains why there are so many different animals.

Fundamental scientific principle.

類義語

explain justify clarify represent constitute answer for

反対語

ignore neglect disregard

よく使う組み合わせ

account for the fact that

account for a significant portion

be called to account

all persons accounted for

account for the discrepancy

fully account for

account for the variation

account for one's actions

fail to account for

largely account for

よく使うフレーズ

Account for your whereabouts

Account for every penny

Account for the delay

Account for the difference

Account for a majority

Account for the loss

Account for the success

Account for the presence of

Account for the change

Account for the time

よく混同される語

account vs count

'Count' is just finding the number (1, 2, 3). 'Account for' is explaining why the number is what it is.

account vs amount

'Amount' is a noun meaning a quantity. 'Account' is a verb meaning to explain or make up a part.

account vs on account of

This is a phrase meaning 'because of'. It is not the verb 'account'.

慣用句と表現

"Call someone to account"

To force someone to explain their actions and punish them if they are wrong.

The public is calling the government to account for the rising cost of living.

formal

"There is no accounting for taste"

Used to say that it is impossible to explain why different people like different things.

She loves that ugly painting, but there's no accounting for taste.

informal

"Take something into account"

To consider a particular fact or situation when you are making a decision.

We must take the weather into account before we plan the picnic.

neutral

"By all accounts"

According to what everyone says or what has been reported.

By all accounts, it was a very successful party.

neutral

"Give a good account of oneself"

To perform well in a challenge, competition, or difficult situation.

The young boxer gave a good account of himself, even though he lost the match.

neutral

"On one's own account"

To do something for oneself or by oneself, rather than for someone else.

After years of working for others, she started a business on her own account.

formal

"On no account"

Under no circumstances; used to say that something must never happen.

On no account should you leave the door unlocked at night.

formal

"Of no account"

Not important or of no value.

His opinion is of no account in this matter.

formal

"Turn something to account"

To use a situation, even a bad one, to your advantage.

He managed to turn his failure into account by learning from his mistakes.

literary

"Bring someone to account"

Similar to 'call to account', but often implies a legal or official process.

The criminals were finally brought to account for their deeds.

formal

間違えやすい

account vs Explain

Both give reasons.

'Explain' is simple and general. 'Account for' is formal and often implies responsibility or mathematical proportion.

I will explain the game rules. / I must account for the lost money.

account vs Constitute

Both mean to make up a part of a whole.

'Constitute' is more about the structure or legal definition. 'Account for' is more about the statistical contribution.

Twelve months constitute a year. / Rent accounts for 40% of my costs.

account vs Justify

Both involve giving reasons.

'Justify' implies you are defending an action as 'right'. 'Account for' is a neutral explanation of 'why' or 'where'.

He tried to justify his lie. / He had to account for his absence.

account vs Comprise

Both deal with parts of a whole.

'Comprise' usually lists all the parts. 'Account for' often focuses on one specific part and its percentage.

The team comprises five players. / One player accounts for most of the points.

account vs Report

Both involve giving information.

'Report' is the act of giving information. 'Account for' is the specific act of explaining a result or a portion.

He reported the crime. / He accounted for his whereabouts.

文型パターン

[Subject] accounts for [Percentage].

Food accounts for 30% of my budget.

[Subject] must account for [Action/Result].

The driver must account for the accident.

Is [Noun] accounted for?

Is everyone accounted for?

[Subject] fails to account for [Factor].

The plan fails to account for the cold weather.

How do you account for [Noun]?

How do you account for the sudden change?

[Subject] can be accounted for by [Reason].

The error can be accounted for by a system glitch.

Having accounted for [Noun], we then...

Having accounted for the costs, we then looked at the benefits.

[Subject] was accounted [Adjective].

He was accounted wise by his followers.

語族

名詞

動詞

形容詞

使い方

frequency

The verb 'account' is very common in written English (top 2000 words) but less common in casual spoken English.

よくある間違い

The sales account 20% of the total. → The sales account FOR 20% of the total.
You must use the preposition 'for' to connect the verb to the amount.
I can't account my absence. → I can't account FOR my absence.
Even when explaining a reason, the 'for' is required.
Everyone is accounted. → Everyone is accounted FOR.
In the passive voice, the 'for' stays with the verb.
He was accounted as a genius. → He was accounted a genius.
In the rare meaning of 'consider', you don't use 'as'. However, it's better to use 'considered a genius'.
This accounts to the problem. → This accounts FOR the problem.
The correct preposition is 'for', not 'to'.

ヒント

Don't Forget the 'For'

The most common mistake is leaving out 'for'. Always check your sentence: 'Does it account FOR the problem?'

Use in Reports

When writing a business report, use 'account for' to explain changes in numbers. it sounds much more professional than 'is why'.

Safety First

In an emergency, use 'Is everyone accounted for?' to quickly ask if everyone is safe.

Statistical Power

Use 'account for' when describing a pie chart or bar graph in English exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

Responsibility

Use this word when there is a sense of duty. If you just want to say why you like pizza, use 'explain'. If you want to say why the budget is empty, use 'account for'.

The Accountant Link

Remember that an accountant's job is to 'account for' money. This helps you remember both the financial and explanatory meanings.

Passive Voice

The passive 'can be accounted for by' is a great way to introduce a cause in academic writing.

News Keywords

When you hear 'account for' on the news, listen for the next word—it's usually the reason or the number you need to know.

Softening Accusations

Instead of saying 'Why did you do that?', asking someone to 'account for their actions' is more formal but can also feel more serious.

Collocation Master

Learn the phrase 'fail to account for'. It's a high-level way to criticize a plan or theory in an essay.

暗記しよう

記憶術

Think of an 'Accountant' who must 'Account for' every cent. They have to explain where the money went and make sure it adds up to 100%.

視覚的連想

Imagine a pie chart. One big slice is labeled 'Account for'. It shows how much of the pie that slice takes up.

Word Web

Explain Justify Percentage Responsibility Report Calculate Presence Reason

チャレンジ

Try to write three sentences about your daily budget using 'account for'. For example: 'Coffee accounts for 5% of my spending.'

語源

The word 'account' comes from the Old French word 'aconter', which meant 'to count' or 'to tell a story'. This itself came from the Latin 'computare', meaning 'to calculate' or 'to sum up'.

元の意味： Originally, it meant simply to calculate or count money. Over time, it evolved to mean 'giving a report' or 'telling what happened'.

It is part of the Indo-European family, specifically the Romance branch via French, though it has been in English since the 13th century.

文化的な背景

Be careful when asking someone to 'account for' something personal, as it can sound like an accusation or an interrogation.

In the UK and US, being 'called to account' is a common phrase in political journalism when a leader is criticized.

The Bible: 'Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.' Charles Dickens: Often used 'account' in his novels to describe social standing and financial responsibility. Modern Business: 'Triple Bottom Line' accounting refers to accounting for social and environmental impact, not just profit.

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Financial Reporting

account for the deficit
account for the expenditure
account for every cent
account for the profit margin

Scientific Research

account for variables
account for the anomaly
account for the data
account for environmental factors

Safety and Emergencies

account for all personnel
account for missing persons
be fully accounted for
account for the survivors

Legal and Police Work

account for one's whereabouts
account for the evidence
be called to account
account for the motive

Business Strategy

account for market trends
account for the competition
account for customer feedback
account for the growth

会話のきっかけ

"How do you account for the fact that some people are more successful than others?"

"If you had to account for your spending this week, what would be your biggest expense?"

"How does your favorite hobby account for your happiness?"

"In your opinion, what factors account for the popularity of social media?"

"Can you account for why you chose to learn English instead of another language?"

日記のテーマ

Reflect on a time you had to account for a mistake you made at work or school. How did you handle it?

Write about what factors account for your current personality. Is it nature or nurture?

If you were a manager, how would you ensure all your employees are accounted for during an emergency?

Discuss how much of your daily time is accounted for by work, sleep, and leisure.

Think about a mystery you can't account for. What are some possible explanations?

よくある質問

10 問

In 99% of modern usage, yes. When you mean 'to explain' or 'to make up a part of', you must say 'account for'. The only time you don't is in very old-fashioned or literary English where it means 'to consider' (e.g., 'He was accounted a hero').

No. 'Account for' is a verb phrase. 'Because of' is a prepositional phrase. You can say 'The rain accounts for the delay' (Verb) or 'The delay was because of the rain' (Preposition).

Yes, but it has a specific meaning. To 'account for' people means to make sure they are safe and present, usually after an accident or during a roll call.

'Account' is the verb (to explain). 'Accounting' is the noun for the profession or the process of keeping financial records.

Yes, it is considered a more formal and precise word than 'explain' or 'make up'. It is very common in business and academic writing.

It is a regular verb, so you just add '-ed'. Example: 'Last year, exports accounted for 20% of our revenue.'

In military or hunting slang, yes. It means to have eliminated a target. For example, 'The sniper accounted for three enemy soldiers.' This is very specialized and not for general use.

It is an idiom meaning 'to consider'. For example, 'You must take the traffic into account when planning your trip' means you must think about the traffic.

It is almost always 'accounted for'. You 'account to' someone (a person) when you are responsible to them, but you 'account for' the thing you did.

Yes, you can use 'about' or 'approximately' after 'account for' if the number is an estimate.