a portion of the blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a portion of the blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibility or fault in a situation, indicating that someone or something is partially at fault. Example: "While the project faced many challenges, I believe that a portion of the blame lies with the lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

And it should also be noted that farmers bear only a portion of the blame for greenhouse gas emissions in the food system.

The New York Times

But even the most extreme rendering of any alleged skullduggery there, or at A.I.G., or at Lehman, or at Bear Stearns, captures just a portion of the blame.

The New Yorker

"Without a doubt, a portion of the blame for unleashing the Second World War lies with Poland, which is why they are attempting to distort historical fact," Lev F. Sotskov of the Foreign Intelligence Service told reporters in Moscow.

The New York Times

But the United Nations (UN) and its Western supporters also accepted a portion of the blame for having failed to protect the Bosniak men, women, and children in Srebrenica, which in 1993 the UN Security Council had formally designated a "safe area".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The electorate shoulders a portion of the blame for the mess we are in as well.

Huffington Post

I'll accept a portion of the blame for being excessively "strident" in the past.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

While it's easy to look to your strikers in such a predicament, and a fair portion of the blame has fallen at the decreasingly capable feet of Christian Benteke (and bounced off again), Villa, for years, have lacked a creative spark.

The Guardian - Sport

The White House troika of Mr. Rove, Andrew Card, the chief of staff, and Karen Hughes, a counselor to the president, must take a major portion of the blame for the defection and must assume a major portion of the responsibility for getting Mr. Bush back to the center.

The New York Times

Newcastle played the most long balls in the Premier League in the 2012-13 candaign, and while a fair portion of the blame for a lack of real cutting edge was directed Papiss Cisse's way – only five teams scored fewer goals last season than Newcastle's 45 – the team weren't really helping the Senegalese striker.

The Guardian - Sport

There is more to it than just being a victim of circumstance and Gartside has to take a significant portion of the blame when the decision-making on his watch has been so profoundly poor.

The Guardian - Sport

Frustration with Congress has seen a dramatic spike, with multiple surveys indicating that Republicans face a larger portion of the blame.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning "a portion of the blame", be specific about the degree of responsibility. Avoid vague statements and provide concrete examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of responsibility when using "a portion of the blame". Ensure your assessment aligns with the available evidence. Saying someone bears "a portion of the blame" when they are entirely responsible weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a portion of the blame" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., bear, shoulder, take). According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English, indicating responsibility or fault in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a portion of the blame" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that indicates partial responsibility for a negative outcome. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring the assigned degree of blame aligns with evidence. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, requiring a neutral register. Remember to avoid overstating the blame and consider alternative phrases like "a share of responsibility" or "some culpability" depending on the specific context. By following these guidelines, you can use this phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A share of responsibility

Focuses on responsibility rather than blame.

Some culpability

Uses a more formal term for blame.

A part of the guilt

Emphasizes the feeling of guilt associated with the action.

A degree of fault

Uses 'fault' instead of 'blame', suggesting a less severe infraction.

Partial accountability

Highlights the aspect of being held accountable.

A piece of the responsibility

Uses a more casual term 'piece' instead of 'portion'.

Contributory negligence

A legal term that implies shared blame.

Shared responsibility

Focuses on the cooperative nature of responsibility.

Some liability

Implies a legal or financial responsibility.

Joint responsibility

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of the fault.

FAQs

How to use "a portion of the blame" in a sentence?

Use "a portion of the blame" when you want to indicate that someone or something is partially responsible for a negative outcome. For example, "While the company's leadership made mistakes, "the market conditions" also deserve a portion of the blame."

What can I say instead of "a portion of the blame"?

You can use alternatives like "a share of responsibility", "some culpability", or "partial accountability" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a portion of the blame" or "all of the blame"?

It depends on the context. If someone is only partially responsible, "a portion of the blame" is more accurate. If they are entirely responsible, "all of the blame" is appropriate. Using "a portion of the blame" when "all of the blame" is more fitting can dilute the responsibility and impact of the message.

What's the difference between "a portion of the blame" and "shared responsibility"?

"A portion of the blame" focuses on the negative aspect of fault. "Shared responsibility", on the other hand, can be used in both negative and positive contexts, highlighting the collective nature of responsibility, regardless of whether it's for success or failure. For example, "teamwork" implies shared responsibility in achieving a goal.