Grammar fix

account for

explain the reason for something (often in formal or analytical contexts)

to give an explanation or justification for why something has happened, especially when analyzing causes or results.

phrasal verbC1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

The manager was unable to account for the sudden drop in sales last quarter.education
In my opinion, several factors account for the rise in obesity rates, including changes in diet and lifestyle.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: account for + noun/amount/event

WrongHow do you account the difference?

RightHow do you account for the difference?

'Account FOR' — don't drop 'for'. (Bare 'account' is a record or report.)

Patternaccount for + noun/amount/event

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff How do you explain the reason for the sudden drop in profits?

Natural How do you account for the sudden drop in profits?

'Account for' is the analytical verb for explaining a cause; the paraphrase is wordy.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

account for + result
the differencethe risethe gapit

Don't confuse it

At B1/B2, learners may know 'account for' as 'make up a part of' (e.g. 'Women account for 60% of the staff'). This C1 sense is about explaining the reason for something, not just describing proportions.

Try it in Daily Speak →