a share of blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a share of blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibility for a negative outcome or situation, indicating that multiple parties may be at fault. Example: "In the recent project failure, the team acknowledged that each member had a share of blame for the miscommunication that occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

From the perspective he offered, all civilian victims were worthy of compassion, and fighters on both sides bore a share of blame.

The Economist

While he accepted a share of blame for lax supervision at the agency, he denied any wrongdoing and suggested that former aides were responsible for any abuses.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney, who has been beset by verbal missteps in recent weeks, accepted a share of blame for his struggle to make the case that he is the party's strongest prospective nominee, but he declared, "I am who I am".

The New York Times

For a brief interlude back in 2008, top bankers were willing to be humble, accepting a share of blame for reckless speculation that fuelled the worst financial crisis since the 1930s.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The US and the EU, despite their classification of the PKK as a terrorist organisation, have occasionally been blamed for actively or passively supporting the organisation, while Israel also gets a share of the blame.

BBC

Axes and chainsaws must take a share of the blame.

The Economist

Don't they deserve a share of the blame?

The Economist

As viewers, we have to take a share of the blame for this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

And passengers, who are not always prepared for the screening process, get a share of the blame.

The New York Times

As firms move east to profit from cheap labour, Central Europe has taken a share of popular blame.

The Economist

But the GOP now owns part of the government, which means they own a share of the blame if it doesn't work properly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “a share of blame” to accurately reflect partial responsibility. Don't use it when someone has complete responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when assigning "a share of blame". Clearly identify who is responsible instead of obscuring their involvement. For example, instead of "Mistakes were made", state "The team made mistakes and has a share of blame".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a share of blame" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb (e.g., accept, take, deserve) or the complement of a preposition (e.g., in, for). As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it signifies partial responsibility for something negative.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a share of blame" accurately describes the allocation of partial responsibility among multiple entities. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. Predominantly found in news and media, and sometimes in formal business contexts, the phrase serves to distribute culpability in a measured way. While "partial responsibility" and "some culpability" offer similar meanings, it's crucial to avoid ambiguity by specifying the actions contributing to the blame. Avoid passive voice to clearly express who bears the responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partial responsibility

This alternative directly states that the person or entity is only partly responsible.

some of the responsibility

Focuses on dividing the overall responsibility

some culpability

This phrase uses a more formal term, "culpability", to indicate a degree of guilt.

a degree of fault

This expresses a level of fault in a more general sense, not necessarily full accountability.

a portion of the fault

Emphasizes fault as the primary component of the blame.

contributory negligence

This is a legal term specifically referring to negligence that contributes to an injury or harm.

shared accountability

This implies that multiple parties are accountable for the outcome.

joint responsibility

This highlights that responsibility is held together or equally among different persons.

shared guilt

Focuses specifically on the feeling or state of guilt being distributed.

a piece of the action

This is a more informal way of saying involvement in a negative situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a share of blame" in a sentence?

Use "a share of blame" to indicate that multiple parties bear responsibility for a negative outcome. For example, "The project failed, and the team members each accepted "a share of blame" for the missteps".

What can I say instead of "a share of blame"?

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

Is it better to say "a share of the blame" or "some blame"?

"A share of the blame" implies a defined portion of responsibility, while "some blame" is more general. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the partial and defined nature of the responsibility.

When is it inappropriate to use "a share of blame"?

It's inappropriate when one party bears the entire responsibility. In such cases, use phrases like "solely responsible" or "entirely to blame" instead.