a tone of blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tone of blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's manner of speaking that conveys accusation or criticism towards another person. Example: "Her voice carried a tone of blame as she recounted the events of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Senator Obama started his career with a tone of hope but has quickly turned to one of blame," Ms. Miller said.

The New York Times

But "Without the King," Michael Skolnik's subtly perceptive documentary, avoids a tone of first-world outrage; leaning more toward understanding than blame, the film examines a country forced to choose between tradition and survival.

The New York Times

A tone of relief.

The New Yorker

It carried a tone of revelation.

The New York Times

And a sense of blame still lingers.

The New York Times - Arts

Blame was often placed on mothers, including a risk of blame for misaligned paternity.

Ethnicity and Health

I had to use a different tone of voice, a different vibrato … a more nasally tone.

Los Angeles Times

Instead, it became a vicious cycle of blame: the National Department of Health blamed the provinces, the provinces blamed the hospital management, the hospital management blamed the unions, and the unions blamed the SANC, that ironically does not have a mandate for any implementation or participation in financial incentives.

Global Health Action

When expectations are not fulfilled, trust results in an internal attribution of blame, whereas confidence results in an external attribution of blame.

BMJ Open

"Then in a quieter tone of ink.

The New Yorker

A vague tone of reproach predominates.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tone of blame" to precisely describe communication that conveys an assignment of fault or responsibility, particularly when analyzing someone's words or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "a tone of blame" when simply describing disagreement or differing opinions. This phrase implies a stronger level of accusation or censure, and may be inappropriate if there's no explicit assignment of fault.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tone of blame" functions as a noun phrase, often used as an object of a verb (e.g., 'carried a tone of blame') or as a complement to a preposition (e.g., 'with a tone of blame'). It describes the manner in which blame is communicated.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tone of blame" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe communication that conveys an assignment of fault or responsibility. Ludwig confirms its validity, although its usage frequency is currently missing. While the phrase is neutral in register, it inherently carries negative connotations due to the nature of 'blame'. Related phrases include "an accusatory tone" and "a reproachful manner". When using this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely involves an assignment of fault to avoid misrepresenting the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an accusatory tone

Focuses on the act of accusation rather than the general sense of blame.

a blaming attitude

Shifts from tone (manner of speaking) to attitude (underlying feeling).

a reproachful manner

Highlights the expression of disapproval or disappointment.

a condemnatory voice

Emphasizes strong disapproval and judgment.

a critical inflection

Specifies that the tone is critical and conveyed through voice inflection.

an air of recrimination

Suggests mutual blaming and accusation.

a dispirited tone

Implies a loss of enthusiasm and hope.

a feeling of censure

Indicates a formal expression of disapproval.

attribution of fault

Focuses on identifying the person or thing responsible for a mistake.

imputation of responsibility

Highlights the act of assigning responsibility, often for something negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tone of blame" to describe someone's manner of speaking or writing when it conveys an accusation or assignment of fault. For example: "Her voice carried "a tone of blame" as she recounted the events."

What are some alternatives to "a tone of blame"?

Alternatives include "an accusatory tone", "a reproachful manner", or "a critical inflection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to use "a tone of blame"?

Yes, "a tone of blame" generally carries a negative connotation, implying criticism or accusation. It suggests that someone is being held responsible for something perceived as wrong or undesirable.

What's the difference between "a tone of blame" and "a critical tone"?

"A critical tone" suggests general disapproval or fault-finding, while "a tone of blame" specifically implies that someone is being held accountable for something. The latter is a more direct assignment of responsibility.