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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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allocate blame

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"allocate blame" is a correct phrase and is commonly used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to assigning responsibility to someone for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "The boss had to allocate blame for the company's financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Lord Hurd, the Conservative former foreign secretary, says the UN inspectors are not allowed to allocate blame.

News & Media

The Guardian

Its report did not allocate blame, for reasons that rest at the heart of everything Grayson does.

As the battle to allocate blame develops (Fraud office called in after G4S 'overcharges' for tagging, 12 July), there are some questions to ask.

News & Media

The Guardian

On higher gas prices, voters are also more likely to allocate blame on oil-producing countries and oil companies than on Mr. Obama, but a majority in each state say that environmental regulations deserve some or a great deal of blame for recent increases in the cost of gasoline.

News & Media

The New York Times

Whether this consideration of potential punishment influences behavior during stalemates is not well understood, and little theory or evidence exists to explain how voters allocate blame for different outcomes.

The trial is intended to allocate blame and costs between the various companies involved, and to determine the degree of negligence involved - something that will determine the total amount of costs that must be paid.

News & Media

BBC
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It stopped short of allocating blame to individuals.

News & Media

The Economist

Allocating blame for civilian casualties has proved difficult in the past.

News & Media

The New York Times

Actually, it was because his actions could be seen as bad, in such a delicate area – the way in which society allocates blame – that people have always allocated blame on her rather than him".

News & Media

Independent

"Content" today Itsmotherswork concludes: I'm not "allocating blame" - although you are free to do so if you want to.

News & Media

The Guardian

Avoiding future disasters means allocating blame accurately; and most of it lies with bad policy, not with greedy bankers.

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about who or what is being blamed and for what reason to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "allocate blame" in overly broad or general terms. Always specify the actions or inactions for which blame is being assigned to maintain clarity and fairness.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allocate blame" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of assigning responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "allocate blame" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to express the assignment of responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. As supported by Ludwig, it's prevalent in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. When using this phrase, it's essential to be specific and provide sufficient evidence to support the attribution of responsibility. Alternatives such as "assign responsibility" or "apportion fault" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. However, as noted in writing guidance, overgeneralizing the application of blame should be avoided to maintain clarity and fairness.

FAQs

What does "allocate blame" mean?

The phrase "allocate blame" means to assign responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. It involves identifying who or what is responsible for a negative outcome.

How can I use "allocate blame" in a sentence?

You can use "allocate blame" in sentences like, "The investigation sought to allocate blame for the accident" or "It's important to allocate blame fairly based on the evidence".

What are some alternatives to "allocate blame"?

Alternatives to "allocate blame" include "assign responsibility", "apportion fault", or "determine culpability". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to "allocate blame"?

No, it is not always appropriate. Allocating blame should be done judiciously and with careful consideration of the facts. In some situations, focusing on solutions rather than blame may be more productive.

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Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: