a feeling of culpability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a feeling of culpability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing emotions related to guilt or responsibility for a wrongdoing. Example: "After realizing the impact of his actions, he was overwhelmed by a feeling of culpability that he couldn't shake off."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A feeling of objectivity.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A feeling of slowness.

WikiHow

Parents often try assuaging their own feelings of culpability for a relationship breakdown by allowing a damaging degree of leniency.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"They may experience some feelings of culpability if they believe that their parenting didn't adequately prepare their child for long-term relationships, or if they believe that their own marriage served as a poor role model," said Joshua Coleman, a psychologist in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The New York Times

"Patients confide in me regarding both their personal and family medical histories, but they also come to me with their daily concerns, doubts about the disease, worries for their children, and feelings of culpability".

Science Magazine

For some mothers the feelings of culpability were more explicit.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

In a "degree of culpability" judgment, all 24 violations were given the ranking "high".

The New York Times - Tech

All too often victims are put in a position of culpability, especially where drink is involved.

Independent

Tempany has repeatedly emphasised the devastating impact a finding of culpability would have had on survivors.

The Guardian - Sport

My generation wanted to discuss what happened without a sense of culpability.

The New York Times

A nation's failure to cooperate in the aftermath of a cyber incident must imply a degree of culpability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a feeling of culpability" to specifically denote the emotional experience of guilt resulting from one's actions, rather than just acknowledging responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "a feeling of culpability" when simply indicating responsibility without an associated emotional component. Responsibility is acknowledging a duty or task, while culpability includes the emotional burden of guilt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a feeling of culpability" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an emotional state linked to recognizing one's role in a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI reports, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a feeling of culpability" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes the emotional experience of guilt arising from responsibility for a wrong action. Ludwig AI confirms this. While it's not a frequently used phrase (missing from our examples), understanding its distinct meaning—the emotional weight tied to acknowledged wrongdoing—is key to using it appropriately. Related phrases, like "a sense of guilt" or "remorse", can serve as alternatives depending on the specific context. Be mindful to differentiate culpability, which includes an emotional aspect, from mere responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sense of guilt

Focuses on the emotional aspect of guilt rather than the responsibility.

a sense of responsibility

Emphasizes duty and obligation rather than the emotional distress of guilt.

a pang of remorse

Highlights a sudden, sharp feeling of regret.

a weight of guilt

Suggests the burdensome nature of feeling guilty.

a guilty conscience

Refers to the internal moral compass causing feelings of guilt.

a troubled conscience

Indicates a more persistent and profound sense of guilt.

a feeling of regret

Focuses on sorrow over something done or not done, without necessarily implying culpability.

self-reproach

Highlights the act of blaming or criticizing oneself.

self-condemnation

Implies a severe judgment against oneself.

a shadow of remorse

Suggests a lingering, subtle feeling of regret.

FAQs

What does "a feeling of culpability" mean?

It refers to the subjective experience of guilt or blameworthiness, typically associated with having committed a wrong or harmful act. It goes beyond merely acknowledging responsibility and encompasses the emotional burden that accompanies it.

How is "a feeling of culpability" different from "a sense of guilt"?

While both relate to guilt, "a feeling of culpability" specifically emphasizes the responsibility for wrongdoing that triggers the emotion. "A sense of guilt" is a broader term that might arise from various sources, not necessarily tied to direct culpability.

When is it appropriate to use "a feeling of culpability" in writing?

Use it when you want to highlight the emotional impact of guilt stemming directly from a recognized wrongdoing. This phrase is effective when discussing personal reflections, character development, or the psychological consequences of actions.

What are some alternatives to "a feeling of culpability"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "remorse", "guilty conscience", "self-reproach", or "a sense of responsibility" to convey similar, though nuanced, meanings.