accept culpability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accept culpability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone acknowledges their responsibility for a wrongdoing or mistake. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the defendant decided to accept culpability for the incident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Or simply accept culpability in escalating terror, siege and misery.

The Guardian

Her reluctance to accept culpability meant that she also refused to try to make her own case.

Independent

I accept culpability is not the highest because you did not know the dog was a pit bull type.

The Guardian

It was a noble gesture on Heilman's part to accept culpability for an inning that went horribly, terribly awry.

The New York Times - Sports

I found you guilty, I accept culpability is not the highest because you did not know the dog was a pit bull type.

Independent

The church refuses to accept culpability for its involvement, even though the rededication of the burial site in 1999 led to forensic evidence concluding that victims were shot to death, not bludgeoned by Indians.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

On Wednesday, under a plea deal with the prosecutors, he accepted culpability on racketeering charges.

The New York Times

But Snyder, while accepting culpability, said "I'm ready to get sick" — essentially because the EPA didn't stop him and his state officials earlier from doing harm.

The Washington Post

There was certainly an omerta after the game, with nobody accepting culpability or even acknowledging what had happened, apart from the Austrian manager Schmidt.

The Guardian - Sport

The one area where Bush accepts culpability is that he "should have recognised the deficiencies [of others] sooner and intervened faster".

The Guardian

Although Nooyi stops short of accepting culpability for the obesity crisis — she thinks sedentary life styles, not energy-dense processed foods, are the main culprit — she agrees that PepsiCo has a responsibility to do something about the problem.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "accept culpability" when you want to emphasize a formal and often legal or ethical acknowledgement of responsibility for a specific action or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "accept culpability" in casual conversations. Opt for more natural phrases like "admit fault" or "own up to it" for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accept culpability" functions as a verb phrase where "accept" is the verb, and "culpability" is the noun acting as the direct object. It indicates a subject's action of taking responsibility for something, either by admitting fault or acknowledging liability, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accept culpability" signifies formally acknowledging responsibility for a wrong action or fault. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. Its use is relatively uncommon, but it appears in reputable sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and BBC. While it's appropriate in professional and legal settings, simpler alternatives like "admit fault" may be preferable in casual conversation. When using this phrase, remember that you want to emphasize a formal acknowledgement of responsibility for a specific action or outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

admit fault

Focuses on admitting a mistake or error.

acknowledge responsibility

Emphasizes acknowledging one's duty or obligation.

take responsibility

Highlights the act of assuming accountability.

own up to

An informal way of saying to admit responsibility for something.

confess to wrongdoing

Implies admitting to an illegal or immoral act.

plead guilty

A legal term for admitting guilt in court.

accept blame

Focuses on accepting the negative consequences of an action.

bear the responsibility

Highlights enduring or carrying the weight of responsibility.

shoulder the blame

Similar to "accept blame", but with a stronger sense of bearing a burden.

face the consequences

Emphasizes the acceptance of outcomes resulting from one's actions.

FAQs

What does "accept culpability" mean?

To "accept culpability" means to acknowledge and take responsibility for a wrongdoing, error, or fault. It implies an understanding of one's blameworthiness.

How to use "accept culpability" in a sentence?

You can use "accept culpability" in sentences like, "The company decided to "accept culpability" for the environmental damage caused by the oil spill" or "The politician needed to "accept culpability" and resign after the scandal broke".

What can I say instead of "accept culpability"?

You can use alternatives like "admit fault", "acknowledge responsibility", or "take responsibility" depending on the context.

Is "accept culpability" a formal expression?

Yes, "accept culpability" is a relatively formal expression, suitable for legal, professional, or serious contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "own up to" or "admit mistake" might be more appropriate.