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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

I'm at fault
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I'm at fault, too, for not having noticed it earlier.

News & Media

The New Yorker

I'm at fault for that to some degree.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm at fault of that and we're all at fault of that".

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"I think I'm at fault for that also," Hasselbeck, 28, said, "because that's how I thought it would be.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"I feel I'm at fault," said Jay Frye, who sold his Fort Wayne Fury to Thomas in August 1999.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

"The rules of golf, I believe, say that if I see someone that breaks a rule and I don't mention anything, then I'm at fault also," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I am at fault.

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

I was at fault because God had said so.

News & Media

The Guardian

And: "Because I do all manner of woman things, I am at fault".

News & Media

The New York Times - Arts

Even when I was at fault, I always accepted blame and took it upon myself.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

What are they?' " "Right then is where I think that I was at fault," Knight said.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow the phrase with "for" to specify the action, such as "I'm at fault for missing the deadline".

Common error

While you may occasionally see writers use "at fault of", the standard prepositional use is "at fault for". For example, say "I am at fault for the delay" rather than "I am at fault of the delay".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I'm at fault" functions as a subject followed by a copular verb and a prepositional phrase acting as a complement. It is used to attribute culpability or responsibility to the speaker. According to Ludwig AI, it is frequently used to introduce an apology or a clarification regarding an error.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

Social Media

Academic

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "I'm at fault" is a robust and grammatically correct expression for admitting responsibility. Ludwig AI analysis shows it is particularly prevalent in News & Media, often within direct quotes where individuals are reflecting on their own actions. While the phrase itself is neutral, it is a powerful tool for accountability in both personal and professional spheres. Writers should prefer the preposition "for" when identifying the source of the error and can consider alternatives like "I take responsibility" for a more proactive tone.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am to blame

More direct and slightly more formal in tone

I take responsibility

Suggests an active choice to accept the consequences

It is my mistake

Focuses on the specific error rather than the state of culpability

I am responsible

A neutral alternative that can apply to both tasks and errors

It's my bad

Extremely informal and used for minor social slips

I messed up

Commonly used in casual or spoken English to admit a mistake

I am in the wrong

Focuses on the moral or factual incorrectness of one's position

It is on me

A colloquial way to claim ownership of a situation

I screwed up

A blunter, more informal version of messed up

I am the one to blame

Adds emphasis to the individual's role in a failure

FAQs

How do I use "I'm at fault" in a sentence?

You can use it to admit a mistake, as in "I realized that "I'm at fault" for the misunderstanding during our meeting".

What is the difference between "I'm at fault" and "I'm to blame"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "I am to blame" often carries a slightly more serious or formal weight regarding the consequences of an action.

Can I say "I'm at fault" in a formal email?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable, though "I take full responsibility" is sometimes preferred in high-stakes corporate communication.

What can I say instead of "I'm at fault" for a minor error?

For smaller, less serious mistakes, you might use more casual phrases like "my mistake" or "my bad".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

92%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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I'm at faultGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

I'm at fault
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples