The sentence ’10 people are still to be accounted for’ is a common construction used in English, particularly in formal and news contexts. In this article, we will break down the meaning of the sentence, explain the structure, and clarify the usage of the phrase ‘to be accounted for.’
What Does ‘To Be Accounted For’ Mean?
The phrase ‘to be accounted for’ refers to the act of being located, identified, or explained. When someone or something is ‘accounted for,’ it means that the person or thing is either found, recognized, or explained in some way. In this case, the sentence suggests that there are 10 people whose whereabouts or status have not yet been confirmed.
In this context, ‘to account for’ is often used in situations involving missing persons, events, or things that need to be explained or located, like in emergency or investigative scenarios.
Breaking Down the Sentence Structure
The sentence ’10 people are still to be accounted for’ is in the passive voice, with ‘to be accounted for’ functioning as the passive verb phrase. The passive voice is used here to focus on the people who are missing, rather than the actions taken to locate them. The word ‘still’ indicates that this is an ongoing situation, implying that efforts to locate the missing people have not yet been fully successful.
We can break down the structure as follows:
- ’10 people’ – Subject (the people who are still missing)
- ‘are’ – Linking verb (indicating the present state)
- ‘still’ – Adverb (indicating the situation is ongoing)
- ‘to be accounted for’ – Passive verb phrase (the action of being located or explained is yet to happen)
Common Usage of ‘To Be Accounted For’
‘To be accounted for’ is frequently used in formal situations like reports, investigations, and official statements. For example, in news stories about disasters or accidents, you might hear that ‘several people are still to be accounted for,’ which means that the search for those people is still ongoing, and their whereabouts have not yet been confirmed.
It is also common in financial or business contexts where items, assets, or funds need to be explained or matched to records. For example, ‘The missing funds are still to be accounted for’ means that the whereabouts of the money or assets are not yet explained or verified.
Why ‘To Be Accounted For’ Is Not Just ‘Explained’
While ‘to be accounted for’ can seem like just ‘explained,’ it often carries a stronger implication of being located, confirmed, or verified. For example, if someone says, ‘The missing documents are still to be accounted for,’ it means that the documents have not yet been located or their status hasn’t been confirmed, not just that an explanation is needed.
In the case of missing persons, the phrase indicates that the people’s whereabouts are unknown, and their situation is still unresolved. It’s more than just needing an explanation; it’s about confirming their status or location.
Conclusion: ‘To Be Accounted For’ in Context
The sentence ’10 people are still to be accounted for’ is grammatically correct and appropriately used in contexts where individuals or items are missing or unconfirmed. The phrase ‘to be accounted for’ has a broader meaning than just ‘explained’ and is commonly used in formal situations to describe missing persons, unlocated objects, or unverified situations.
Understanding how to use ‘to be accounted for’ correctly will help you better navigate formal language, especially when discussing situations that involve ongoing investigations or searches.
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