a weight of culpability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a weight of culpability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the burden or responsibility of guilt that someone feels for a wrongdoing or mistake. Example: "After the incident, he carried a weight of culpability that affected his every decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

True combat video should make us uncomfortable — not only because of human suffering, but also because of a realization of culpability.

The New York Times

"A degree of culpability attaches to Morgan on that front.

BBC

In Cairo, we discovered that a frank acknowledgment of culpability could turn things around.

The Guardian - Opinion

Justice Saunders concluded that Sabina had a "low" level of culpability for her actions.

Wikipedia

"If she resigns, that's an admission of culpability," she said.

The New York Times

That the same symptoms can result from irresponsible decisions gives patients an air of culpability.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It acknowledges suffering, squalor and cruelty, including the suffering and squalor and cruelty caused by us Christians ourselves and our churches; it demands that we give those things their full weight of sorrow and culpability, and only then does it insist that the story isn't over, that there is more to say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a weight of culpability", ensure the context clearly establishes the action or event to which the culpability refers. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid layering too many metaphors on top of "a weight of culpability". While the phrase itself is metaphorical, excessive figurative language can make your writing convoluted and less impactful. Opt for clear and direct language to convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a weight of culpability" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence, describing the feeling or state of being responsible for something wrong.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a weight of culpability" is a noun phrase used to describe the burden of guilt and responsibility for a wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as correct and usable in English, though examples are limited. It is best suited for formal contexts where a nuanced expression of responsibility is required. While less frequent, alternative phrases like "a burden of guilt" or "a sense of responsibility" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a burden of guilt

This alternative directly replaces "culpability" with "guilt", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the burden.

a feeling of blameworthiness

This directly addresses the sense of being deserving of blame.

a sense of responsibility

This highlights the obligation and accountability felt due to a specific action or inaction.

the onus of guilt

This conveys the burden of guilt as a legal or moral obligation.

the weight of accountability

This shifts the focus slightly from guilt to the responsibility of facing the consequences.

a load of remorse

This alternative underscores the deep regret and sorrow associated with the culpability.

a heavy conscience

This emphasizes the moral burden and internal conflict experienced.

the stain of culpability

This highlights the lasting damage and negative impact resulting from the culpability.

the shadow of wrongdoing

This emphasizes the lingering effects and consequences of the culpable act.

a cloud of culpability

This emphasizes the pervasive and encompassing nature of the guilt or responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a weight of culpability" in a sentence?

You can use "a weight of culpability" to describe the burden of guilt or responsibility someone feels for a wrongdoing. For example, "After the accident, she carried "a weight of culpability" that affected her every decision".

What phrases are similar to "a weight of culpability"?

Alternatives include "a burden of guilt", "a sense of responsibility", or "a load of remorse", each emphasizing different aspects of guilt and responsibility.

Is "a weight of culpability" formal or informal?

"A weight of culpability" leans towards a more formal register. For less formal situations, consider using phrases like "feeling guilty" or "taking the blame".

What is the difference between "a weight of culpability" and "a burden of guilt"?

While similar, ""a weight of culpability"" focuses more on the responsibility for an action, whereas ""a burden of guilt"" emphasizes the emotional distress caused by the guilt.