are blamed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are blamed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when attributing responsibility for a negative outcome or situation to someone or something. Example: "The company is often blamed for the environmental damage caused by its operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even in Britain, bankers are blamed for the financial crisis.

The Economist

Local white businessmen are blamed for high prices.

The Economist

Rwandan troops are blamed for systematically hunting down refugees.

The New York Times

Both parties are blamed for the failure of reconciliation talks.

The New Yorker

In Cambridgeshire, immigrants are blamed for a crime explosion.

The Guardian - Opinion

Energy costs are blamed for the rising cost of living.

The Guardian - Business

Winter rains are blamed for declining populations of Peary Caribou.

The New York Times - Science

But polygamous relationships, too, are blamed for helping spread AIDS.

The New York Times

Parasites, pesticides, and destroyed habitats are blamed for the reduction.

The Guardian

Dental filings, aftershave, even toothpaste are blamed for false results.

The Guardian

Migrating birds are blamed for bringing avian flu into Europe.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are blamed for", ensure the subject is clearly identified and the reason for the blame is specific and supported by evidence. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "are blamed for" in overly broad or vague statements. Instead of saying "Immigrants "are blamed for" everything", specify which issues are attributed to them and provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are blamed for" functions as a passive construction, attributing fault or responsibility to a subject for a specific outcome. The Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable, appearing in various contexts to assign blame.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are blamed for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something is considered responsible for a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "are blamed for", ensure clarity and specificity to avoid overgeneralizations. Related phrases like "are held responsible for" or "are accused of" can offer alternative ways to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context. Remember to select the phrasing that accurately reflects the intended level of formality and nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are held accountable for

Emphasizes responsibility and the expectation of answering for actions.

are held responsible for

Highlights the duty or obligation to answer for an outcome.

are accused of

Directly implies an accusation of wrongdoing.

are considered responsible for

Indicates a general belief that someone or something caused something.

are attributed to

Focuses on identifying the cause or origin of something, often a negative outcome.

are pointed to as the cause of

Implies that something is identified as the primary reason for a specific result.

are seen as the reason for

Highlights the perception of something being the cause.

carry the can for

Idiomatic expression meaning to take the blame or responsibility, often unfairly.

get the blame for

Focuses on who receives the blame, whether justified or not.

are liable for

Highlights the legal responsibility for something.

FAQs

How can I use "are blamed for" in a sentence?

Use "are blamed for" to indicate that someone or something is considered responsible for a negative situation or outcome. For example: "Bankers "are blamed for" the financial crisis".

What's a more formal alternative to "are blamed for"?

A more formal alternative is "are held responsible for". This conveys a similar meaning but with a more serious and accountable tone.

Is it correct to say "is blamed for" instead of "are blamed for"?

Yes, but the choice depends on the subject. Use "is blamed for" with singular subjects (e.g. "The company "is blamed for" the accident") and "are blamed for" with plural subjects (e.g. "Politicians "are blamed for" the problems").

What is the difference between ""are blamed for"" and "are responsible for"?

"Are blamed for" usually implies a negative consequence or fault, while "are responsible for" can be neutral or even positive. You might be responsible for a success, but you're blamed for a failure.