I was at fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was at fault" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when admitting responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "After reviewing the situation, I realized that I was at fault for the misunderstanding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I was at fault because God had said so.

The Guardian

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times - Sports

"I was starting to feel like I was at fault for not making it work," said another.

The Guardian

Perhaps I was at fault for not being more forthright and getting the fundamental question of budget answered at the outset?

The Guardian

"I like to think that, while I was at fault to tackle from intellectual curiosity too great a variety of scientific interests, I have left on my route some trace of my passing".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

I am at fault.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm at fault for that to some degree.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was at fault" to directly acknowledge your responsibility in a clear and concise manner.

Common error

Don't just say "I was at fault" without explaining why. Provide context and show that you understand the implications of your actions. For example, instead of "I was at fault for the project delay", say "I was at fault for the project delay because I underestimated the time required for data collection".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was at fault" functions as a statement of admission or concession. It's used to directly acknowledge responsibility for an error, mistake, or negative situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was at fault" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to admit responsibility for a mistake or error. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, media and professional settings. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide context and specifics to demonstrate understanding and commitment to improvement. Alternatives include "I take responsibility" and "I am to blame".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I take responsibility

Focuses on accepting responsibility rather than explicitly stating fault.

I am to blame

A more direct and concise way of admitting fault.

The fault was mine

Emphasizes that the fault belongs to the speaker.

It was my fault

A slightly more general way of expressing blame.

I made a mistake

Highlights the error made, implying fault.

I was the one to blame

Highlights the speaker as the responsible party.

I was responsible

Focuses on the responsibility aspect of the situation.

I am responsible

States present responsibility or accountability.

I erred

A more formal and succinct way of admitting a mistake.

I messed up

An informal way of admitting a mistake.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "I was at fault"?

Saying "I was at fault" means you are admitting that you were responsible for a mistake, error, or negative outcome. It's a statement of accountability.

What can I say instead of "I was at fault"?

You can use alternatives like "I take responsibility", "I am to blame", or "it was my fault" depending on the context.

Is "I was at fault" formal or informal?

The phrase "I was at fault" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives might be more suitable for very formal situations.

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

You can use "I was at fault" to directly admit responsibility. For example, "After reviewing the data, I realized that "I was at fault" for the miscalculation".