Be at fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be at fault" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is responsible for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that he was at fault for the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who is going to be at fault?

The New York Times

How could they possibly be at fault?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The stringency of many CSAs may be at fault.

The Economist

"I don't see why the city would be at fault".

The New York Times

She was not believed to be at fault, said police.

Independent

The program's structure may also be at fault.

The New York Times

But the benchmark itself may be at fault.

The New York Times

Clerico was found to be at fault for both.

The Guardian

He admitted that the laundry might well be at fault.

The New Yorker

At least 80 examiners were found to be at fault.

The Guardian

Nor is King Herod shown to be at fault.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be at fault" when you want to indicate direct responsibility for a specific error, accident, or problem.

Common error

Avoid using "be at fault" without sufficient evidence or investigation. Hasty accusations can damage reputations and lead to unfair consequences. Ensure you have facts before assigning blame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be at fault" functions as a predicative expression, assigning responsibility or culpability to a subject. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears in contexts where liability or blame is being determined.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be at fault" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to assign responsibility or blame for an action or event. According to Ludwig, its presence in diverse sources like news articles, academic papers, and legal documents underscores its versatility. While alternatives like "be responsible" or "be to blame" exist, "be at fault" is effective in clearly stating who bears the responsibility for a specific occurrence. Remember to ground its usage in evidence and avoid hasty judgments. It is most frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be responsible

Emphasizes the obligation or duty to answer for an action or outcome.

Be to blame

Directly assigns responsibility for a negative event or situation.

Bear the responsibility

Highlights the act of carrying or accepting accountability.

Be culpable

Implies moral blameworthiness or guilt.

Be liable

Indicates legal responsibility or obligation.

Be accountable

Stresses the need to answer for one's actions and their consequences.

Be in the wrong

Highlights the state of being incorrect or acting inappropriately.

Shoulder the blame

Emphasizes the act of taking responsibility, often for others.

Answer for

Focuses on the need to explain or justify one's actions.

Take the rap

An informal way to say accepting blame or punishment, often for someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "be at fault" in a sentence?

You can use "be at fault" to indicate responsibility for an error or wrongdoing. For example, "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that he was "at fault" for the accident."

What's a more formal way to say "be at fault"?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "be responsible", "be liable", or "be culpable", depending on the specific context.

Is "be at fault" the same as "be to blame"?

While similar, "be at fault" often implies a more specific instance of responsibility, whereas "be to blame" can encompass broader responsibility for a situation.

When is it inappropriate to use "be at fault"?

Avoid using "be at fault" when the responsibility is unclear or when assigning blame without sufficient evidence. In such cases, it's better to use neutral language that doesn't assign blame prematurely.