a chunk of the blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chunk of the blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the distribution of responsibility for a particular issue or situation. Example: "While everyone contributed to the project's failure, I believe that a chunk of the blame lies with the management for not providing adequate resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When I met with the teachers, they acknowledged the problem but put a chunk of the blame on report card limitations.

The New York Times

Already there is talk that the government might back down.All lost in the supermarket?A chunk of the blame lies with the main opposition party, the BJP.

The Economist

To be fair, a chunk of the blame goes to Chris Bosh and Wade as well, who looked terribly slow and uncomfortable in Game 1, dominating the ball frequently in half-court possessions and forcing errant jumpers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Commodities were a loser in 2000, but a big chunk of the blame stems from Bruce's insistence that they buy $15 million of the bonds of ltv, the steelmaker; he was impressed by the company's strong operating income.

Forbes

Commodities were a loser in 2000, but a big chunk of the blame stems from Bruce's insistence that they buy $15 million of steelmaker LTV's bonds; he was impressed by the company's strong operating income.

Forbes

In other words, Trump shares a sizable chunk of the blame.

The Washington Post

In Marcum's case, a good chunk of the blame can be placed on the way he has pitched.

The New York Times - Sports

While a good chunk of the blame should fall on our dramatic increase in trade with China, other onslaughts have contributed greatly.

The New Yorker

DealBook » Assigning Blame in Dewey's Collapse | With the once-proud law firm on the brink of dissolution, its partners agree the former chairman, Steven H. Davis, shoulders a large chunk of the blame for its stunning fall, Mr. Lattman reported.

The New York Times

With the finger-pointing well under way at Dewey & LeBoeuf, the once-proud law firm on the brink of dissolution, its partners agree the former chairman, Steven H. Davis, shoulders a large chunk of the blame for its stunning fall.

The New York Times

The United States shares a big chunk of the blame, according to career diplomats as well as both Republicans and Democrats who have helped craft American foreign policy for decades.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a chunk of the blame", ensure that you can clearly identify the specific actions or inactions that warrant assigning blame. Being specific adds credibility to your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a chunk of the blame" when the responsibility is either entirely on one party or so diffuse that assigning a 'chunk' becomes meaningless. Focus instead on clear, attributable actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chunk of the blame" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a portion of responsibility or fault. It is often used to assign accountability for a specific action or outcome, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chunk of the blame" is a noun phrase used to assign partial responsibility, predominantly found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is grammatically correct. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to be specific and avoid overgeneralization when assigning blame. Alternatives like "a portion of the responsibility" may be used for softening the tone. Usage guidance focuses on specificity and appropriate application, reflecting a nuanced understanding of the phrase's implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant portion of the blame

Adds emphasis to the amount of blame being assigned.

a piece of the responsibility

Uses "piece" instead of "chunk", which is a less formal term.

a portion of the responsibility

Replaces "blame" with "responsibility", focusing on accountability rather than fault.

a share of the accountability

Substitutes "blame" with "accountability", emphasizing the obligation to answer for actions.

a segment of the fault

Replaces "chunk" with "segment" and "blame" with "fault", slightly altering the intensity of the statement.

a degree of the responsibility

Substitutes "chunk" with "degree", indicating a specific level or extent of responsibility.

a measure of the fault

Similar to "degree", indicating a quantifiable aspect of blame.

some of the culpability

Replaces the descriptive "a chunk of" with "some of" and replaces "blame" with "culpability", making it slightly more formal.

a fraction of the culpability

Emphasizes that the amount of blame is only a portion of the whole.

part of the liability

Replaces "blame" with "liability", shifting the focus to legal or financial responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a chunk of the blame" in a sentence?

You can use "a chunk of the blame" to indicate that a significant portion of the responsibility for something negative lies with a particular person or group. For example: "While the entire team failed, a chunk of the blame falls on the team leader."

What's a less direct way to say "a chunk of the blame"?

Alternatives like "a portion of the responsibility" or "a share of the accountability" can soften the directness of assigning blame.

Is it better to be specific rather than using "a chunk of the blame"?

Specificity is generally preferred. Instead of saying "a chunk of the blame", try to quantify the degree of responsibility or explain the specific actions that warrant assigning blame.

When is it inappropriate to use "a chunk of the blame"?

Avoid using the phrase when you lack sufficient evidence to support your claim or when assigning blame could exacerbate an already tense situation. Consider a more neutral assessment of responsibility.