The fault lies with me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "The fault lies with me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when taking responsibility for a mistake or error in a situation. Example: "I understand that the project didn't meet the deadline, and I must admit that the fault lies with me for not managing the timeline effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The fault lies with me - probably a question of mood and receptiveness - though the experience can be alarming.

The Guardian - Music

"The fault lies with me as the consultant in charge of the case, in that I was not around to do all these things myself, and that I delegated, and I should not have done," said Dr Schwartz.

The Guardian

"The fault lies with me," Gregg said in an interview with Politico, refusing to discuss any conversations he has had with Obama himself.

Huffington Post

Perhaps the fault lies with me.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The fault lies with us.

The New York Times

The fault lies with its predecessors.

The New York Times

The fault lies with the manufacturer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The fault lies with Muslims too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps some of the fault lies with the artist.

The New York Times - Books

The fault lies with children at primary school.

The Times

Brexiters try to argue the fault lies with Brussels.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "The fault lies with me" when you want to formally and directly acknowledge your responsibility for a specific error or failure. It's suitable for professional or serious contexts where accountability is important.

Common error

Avoid using "The fault lies with me" sarcastically or dismissively to deflect blame rather than genuinely accepting responsibility. Ensure your tone matches the gravity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "The fault lies with me" functions as a declarative statement where the speaker acknowledges personal responsibility for an error or failure. It is used to accept blame and indicate accountability, as confirmed by Ludwig.

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 "The fault lies with me" is a grammatically correct expression used to accept personal responsibility for a mistake or failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides various examples from news and media sources. While relatively rare, the phrase is most commonly found in news articles and formal contexts. Alternative phrases include "I am to blame" and "It's my fault", offering similar meanings with slight variations in formality. The key is to use this phrase when genuinely acknowledging responsibility and to ensure the tone matches the gravity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I am to blame

Directly accepts responsibility; more concise.

It's my fault

Simple and straightforward way to admit error.

I take full responsibility

Formal declaration of accountability.

I was wrong

A plain and simple admission of error.

The error is mine

More formal and emphasizes the mistake itself.

I messed up

Informal and colloquial.

The responsibility rests with me

Formal, similar in tone but slightly more indirect.

I erred

Formal and slightly archaic.

I shoulder the blame

Emphasizes bearing the consequences.

I am culpable

Formal and legalistic.

FAQs

What does "The fault lies with me" mean?

It means that I accept responsibility for an error or failure; I acknowledge that I am to blame.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "The fault lies with me"?

It's appropriate in formal settings when admitting responsibility for a mistake is necessary. In less formal settings, alternatives like "It's my fault" may be more suitable.

Are there synonyms for "The fault lies with me" that I can use?

Yes, you can use phrases like "I am to blame", "It's my fault", or "I take full responsibility".

How is "The fault lies with me" different from "The fault lies with us"?

"The fault lies with me" is used when an individual accepts responsibility, whereas "The fault lies with us" suggests shared responsibility among a group.