I'm culpable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I'm culpable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when admitting responsibility for a wrongdoing or fault. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, I must confess that I'm culpable in this situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I'm culpable, so I've got to be brutally honest with myself as well.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I didn't write it but I did say it so I am culpable in some way".

The Guardian

Now I am culpable and accountable for the things that got me to that impasse where I was just running, running, running, with nothing to show for it.

The New York Times - Magazine

My teachers were kind but overstretched, and there was a weariness to their reactions to bullying, a masked but nevertheless apparent attitude that to some degree I was culpable – that if I wasn't so bloody weird it wouldn't happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

By the time summer had ended, I still felt as though I were culpable for not having completed any Seva, but the start of my busy 11th grade soon prevented these guilty thoughts from subsisting within me.

Huffington Post

"I was just so angry and outraged that I felt that next time I'd be culpable if I did nothing".

Huffington Post

But even before I had placed my stethoscope bell against my patient's chest, I realized that I, too, had been culpable of submitting doctors to the same line of questioning.

The New York Times - Health

I sniffed not because I think Mr Blair actually was culpable – I've got every idea of who was bloodily culpable, and another strength here was we that had no "re-creation" of the bombers' sin-hungry misguidedness, their separate paths and timings, because too often I have seen it being filmed like the exciting first reel of a heist movie.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I think they are culpable".

The New Yorker

"Whatever complications there were, I never thought he was culpable".

The New York Times

Do I really want to be culpable for the deaths of millions of birds, fish and, in the end, the planet itself?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I'm culpable" when you want to express a formal acknowledgement of your responsibility in a situation. It's suitable in contexts where a more direct and assertive tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "I'm culpable" in overly casual settings. Simpler phrases like "I'm responsible" or "I'm to blame" may be more appropriate for informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I'm culpable" is to serve as a statement of self-acknowledgment of guilt or responsibility. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct, functioning to directly assign blame to oneself. The examples confirm its usage in contexts requiring admission of fault.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I'm culpable" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to acknowledge one's responsibility or guilt in a given situation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides examples from various news and media sources. While not frequently used, it carries a strong connotation of blame and is best suited for serious or official contexts. Alternatives like "I am responsible" or "I am to blame" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. Its function is to express accountability, and its register leans towards neutral to formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am responsible

A direct synonym focusing on accountability.

I am to blame

Indicates acceptance of fault for a negative outcome.

I take responsibility

Emphasizes a willingness to be accountable.

I am at fault

A straightforward admission of being the cause of an error.

I bear the responsibility

Highlights the weight of the accountability.

I am the guilty party

A more formal and serious acknowledgement of culpability.

I am the one to blame

Similar to "I am to blame" but with slightly more emphasis.

I am accountable

Focuses on being answerable for one's actions.

I am liable

Indicates legal or financial responsibility.

I am the cause

Directly states being the origin of an issue or problem.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I'm culpable"?

Saying "I'm culpable" means you acknowledge that you are responsible or blameworthy for something that has happened.

What can I say instead of "I'm culpable"?

You can use alternatives like "I am responsible", "I am to blame", or "I take responsibility", depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "I'm culpable"?

The phrase "I'm culpable" is best used in formal or serious situations where you need to clearly and directly admit fault or responsibility, such as in legal, professional, or official contexts.

Is "I'm culpable" the same as "I'm responsible"?

While similar, "I'm culpable" carries a slightly stronger connotation of guilt or blame compared to "I'm responsible". "Culpable" emphasizes that you are at fault for something negative.