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USF Posted 14 years ago
Vocabulary

account for

Would you please answer my question about "account for"?
I was looking up for meanings of "account for". I found the meanings, but I am still unsure about in which situations should I use this word. It seems pretty formal.

account (to sb ) for sth
~ to explain the reason for something or the cause of something
Can you account for your absence last Friday?
She was unable to account for over $5 000 (= she could not explain where the money was) .
He has to account to his manager for (= tell his manager about and explain) all his movements.

~to form the total of something
Students account for the vast majority of our customers. (Could you explain the meaning? It means major group of our customers are students. Right?)
There is £50 missing from the till - how do (you) account for that? (Why in this sentence, there is no you?! Does it have other meaning?)
You will have to account for your absence to the head teacher in the morning.
Sarah was bullied at school, which might account for her behaviour now. (It seems here means sort of punishment, because it is mentioning "now", while according to the meaning it sounds as statement and statement often does not imply for being at the present time)
It's difficult to account for the recent increase in violent crime. (it is the meaning of explain. Right?)
The prime minister will have to account to the whole nation for his decision. (accept his responsibilities or explain?)
  

Top answer

- - Not really; it is pretty standard, I think. Students account for the vast majority of our customers. ( It means major group of our customers are students.

— Mister Micawber

  • - - Not really; it is pretty standard, I think.
  • Students account for the vast majority of our customers.
  • ( It means major group of our customers are students.
  • -- Yes ) There is £50 missing from the till - how do (you) account for that?
  • ) Sarah was bullied at school, which might account for her behaviour now.
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10 Answers
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It seems pretty formal.-- Not really; it is pretty standard, I think.
Students account for the vast majority of our customers. ( It means major group of our customers are students. Right?-- Yes)
There is £50 missing from the till - how do (you) account for that? (Why in this sentence, there is no you?!-- It is a typographical error.)
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Mister MicawberSarah was bullied at school, which might account for her behaviour now. (It seems here means sort of punishment-- No.because it is mentioning "now", while according to the meaning it sounds as statement and statement often does not imply for being at the present time-- Your logic is not one of grammar. In fact, I don't know what you're talking about.)
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I am a student now. (I don't think it is a proper use of "now", unless you were something else when who you are talking to since the last meeting or you want to mention the rule you have now-- Not true. You can also use 'now' just to clarify or for emphasis.)

He is responsible for the crime now. (!)
Your are punishing me now?(OK)
I think it means responsible -- What mea
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Mister MicawberI think it means responsible -- What means 'responsible'??
Thanks for your reply. You know I each time I really meant it? If I could find other words I would use them. Please do not get tired of hearing it.
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I give up on this thread. You have wandered into the woods, youzou.
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I am not a native English speaker, so perhaps I made a mistake. If I speak out of terms I apologize. I'd like to know which parts were not proper to not make the same mistake?
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I just have no idea where your mind is wandering on this one, so I cannot help.
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I read examples of this verb, but I didn't understand, that is because nearest meaning in my language is being responsible for so I am asking about the parts of the meaning that I haven't understood, and I hope to listen your explanation about this word. What a native think when he is using it.
I usually for understanding such verbs, use Google images, too, to see someone who is doing it or a
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Mister MicawberSarah was bullied at school, which might account for her behaviour now. (It seems here means sort of punishment-- No.
Ah. Sorry. I see now. I got it now, it seems I have ADD ,too.
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youzou I read it this way: "Sarah is at school, which might account for her behavior now." Which I thought it means "is under punishment now" or "now is explaining her faults" because she is responsible for them.
Well, that clears that up!
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