apportion blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apportion blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of assigning responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing to someone or something. Example: "In the aftermath of the incident, the committee decided to apportion blame among the various parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The inquiry might apportion blame.

The New York Times - Sports

That report will not apportion blame.

Independent

It's easy to apportion blame now.

Independent

It does not apportion blame for this.

The Economist

"We are not seeking to apportion blame.

The Guardian

Chilcot's report does not apportion blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kennedy, a former Labour MP, was quick to apportion blame.

The Guardian

All the best scares allow us to apportion blame - farmers?

The Guardian

The report will not apportion blame for individual spills.

The Guardian

"It does not apportion blame to any of its announcers".

The Guardian

The voracious appetite to apportion blame is now gathering pace.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apportion blame", consider the context and whether a neutral assignment of responsibility or a direct accusation is more appropriate. For more neutral options, consider "assign responsibility" or "fix the responsibility". For stronger accusations, consider "lay the blame on".

Common error

Avoid using "apportion blame" immediately after a tragedy or accident when the focus should be on support and understanding. Instead, focus on offering solutions or expressing sympathy before assigning responsibility. Use alternatives like "assess the situation" or "understand the cause" in these instances.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "apportion blame" is that of a verb phrase. Ludwig AI highlights its usage across diverse contexts, illustrating its role in assigning responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "apportion blame" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that means to assign responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalence across various contexts, especially in news and media. While it's a neutral to formal phrase, it is important to consider the sensitivity of the situation when using it. Alternatives like ""assign responsibility"" or "attribute fault" might be more suitable depending on the intended tone and context. Remember to prioritize empathy and understanding before assigning blame, especially in delicate situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign responsibility

Focuses on allocating responsibility rather than necessarily assigning fault.

attribute fault

Directly assigns a mistake or error to someone or something.

lay the blame on

Suggests placing the responsibility, often in a direct or accusatory manner.

pin the blame on

Emphasizes attributing blame specifically to an individual or group.

fix the responsibility

Highlights the determination of who is accountable.

place the onus

Indicates where a duty or burden of proof lies.

hold accountable

Focuses on making someone answerable for their actions.

impute fault

Formally ascribes a fault or misdeed.

charge with fault

Accuses someone of being responsible for an error.

ascribe culpability

Identifies someone as deserving blame for an offense.

FAQs

What does "apportion blame" mean?

"Apportion blame" means to assign responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing, dividing it among multiple parties if necessary.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "apportion blame"?

It's appropriate to use "apportion blame" when you need to assign responsibility for a negative outcome, especially when multiple parties might be involved. It is common in investigative reports, legal contexts, and post-incident analyses.

What are some alternatives to "apportion blame"?

You can use alternatives like ""assign responsibility"", "attribute fault", or ""lay the blame on"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "apportion blame" a formal or informal phrase?

"Apportion blame" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase. It's often used in news reports, official inquiries, and formal discussions.