apportion fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apportion fault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or informal contexts when discussing the distribution of blame or responsibility for a particular situation or incident. Example: "In the accident report, the investigators will apportion fault between the two drivers involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

However, many other jurisdictions do apportion fault in such cases.

Harvard University

We find it difficult, in the situation before us, to envision a jury instruction that would accurately advise a jury on how to apportion fault between these two distinct types of conduct.

Harvard University

Instead, the company says defendants should be allowed to apportion fault to other companies, specifically those that have already declared bankruptcy because of their asbestos liabilities.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I'm apportioning fault.

The New Yorker

The court apportioned fault of fifty-five percentoto Denault, twenty-five percentoto Jeffries, and twenty percent to Hiltner….

The Washington Post

First, the simple feasibility of apportioning fault on a comparative negligence basis does not render an indivisible injury "divisible" for purposes of the joint and several liability rule.

Harvard University

If you're apportioning fault, you can cast plenty at the French for demonstrating to the president that Mr. Powell's patient diplomacy was pointless.

The New York Times

Rather than apportioning fault between the parties, one of whom was only negligent and one of whom acted intentionally, courts have placed one hundred percent of the fault on the party whose actions were intentional.

Harvard University

After trial, the jury returned a verdict in plaintiff's favor, assessing damages in the amount of $100,000 and apportioning fault at 65% to the school district and 35% to plaintiff.

Harvard University

First, we are told that the feasibility of apportioning fault on a comparative basis does not "render an indivisible injury 'divisible,' " each defendant's negligence remaining a proximate cause of the entire indivisible injury.

Harvard University

Jennifer Joyce will recover only about half of the award, however, because the jury apportioned fault on other parties who were no longer part of the case, lawyer Gary A. Dordick said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "apportion fault" in formal context, such as legal or academic writing, whereas in informal contexts you can use "assign blame" or "distribute responsibility".

Common error

Avoid using "apportion fault" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler and more direct phrases like "blame" or "responsibility" to maintain clarity and flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apportion fault" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of distributing blame or responsibility among multiple parties. Ludwig AI indicates that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "apportion fault" is used to describe the action of distributing blame or responsibility, primarily in legal, academic, and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not very common, it offers a precise way to assign blame impartially. Alternatives such as "assign blame" or "distribute responsibility" can be used in more informal settings. The key is to ensure clarity and precision when determining how blame is distributed among different parties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign blame

Replaces "apportion" with "assign", focusing on the act of assigning blame.

distribute responsibility

Focuses on the distribution of responsibility rather than blame.

allocate blame

Uses "allocate" instead of "apportion", suggesting a more formal distribution.

determine culpability

Shifts the focus to determining who is culpable or responsible.

establish liability

Focuses on establishing legal liability for the fault.

fix the blame

Implies a more definitive and fixed assignment of blame.

attribute responsibility

Uses "attribute" to show responsibility that is assigned.

share the blame

Emphasizes the sharing of blame among multiple parties.

impute fault

Implies a formal or legal assignment of fault.

ascribe responsibility

Focuses on formally ascribing responsibility to different parties.

FAQs

How can I use "apportion fault" in a sentence?

You can use "apportion fault" to describe the distribution of blame or responsibility in a situation. For example: "The investigators will "apportion fault" between the two drivers involved in the accident."

What are some alternatives to "apportion fault"?

Alternatives include "assign blame", "distribute responsibility", or "allocate blame", depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "apportion fault"?

The phrase "apportion fault" is appropriate in legal, academic, or formal contexts where a clear and precise distribution of blame is necessary. In informal settings, simpler alternatives may be more suitable.

What is the difference between "apportion fault" and "assign blame"?

"Apportion fault" suggests a more careful and measured distribution of blame, while "assign blame" is a more general term for attributing blame to someone. The choice depends on the level of formality and the precision required.