Liable To: Standard Pattern records the directly documented construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
ReviewedEvidence1 sourceSectionEnglish Usage
Quick answer
Use “liable to” for being likely to do or experience something, and in documented legal or tax constructions for being subject to an obligation, charge, or penalty.
Key details
Confusion Familyusage-construction
Rule Familyadjective complement
Termsliable to, liable to do
Further guidance
Construction
Use “liable to” for being likely to do or experience something, and in documented legal or tax constructions for being subject to an obligation, charge, or penalty.
Style Boundary
Do not collapse “liable to” and “liable for”: Cambridge also documents “liable for” for legal responsibility or responsibility for costs.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
LIABLE — Cambridge English Dictionary↗ (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Cambridge dictionary evidence for liable to in likelihood and specified legal/tax constructions, with liable for documented separately for responsibility.
Absent From: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
Accountable For: Standard Pattern records the directly documented Cambridge construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced complement pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
Acquainted With: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
Addicted To: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
Adept At: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
Adjacent To: Standard Pattern records the directly documented construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced complement pattern rather than inventing a broader prohibition.
