are probably to blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are probably to blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone or something is likely responsible for a particular issue or problem. Example: "The recent increase in traffic accidents in the area suggests that poor road conditions and lack of signage are probably to blame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In fact, both sides are probably to blame.

The Guardian

The ongoing fight for marriage equality and feminism are probably to blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

Police say they are being relied on as an emergency mental health service and that cuts in psychiatric provision are probably to blame, the Guardian has learned.

The Guardian

At this week's debate Harper acknowledged what economic indicators have been suggesting for months: Canada is heading into recession, and low oil prices are probably to blame.

The Guardian

Stopgap efforts to fill Wagner casts with singers appropriate or otherwise are probably to blame for the poor vocal condition of Janice Yoes (Brunnhilde).

The New York Times - Arts

To a large extent, though, those nebulous things known as social norms are probably to blame for the trivial rates at which men take advantage of leave and flex-work policies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Prolonged wetness is probably to blame.

The New York Times

Taliban militants in north-western Pakistan were probably to blame.

The Economist

Negative reviews and a crowded marketplace were probably to blame.

The New York Times

They said a technical malfunction was probably to blame.

The Washington Post

Cameron conceded last week that climate change was probably to blame.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the impact of the phrase, consider using qualifiers such as 'likely', 'possibly', or 'potentially' to indicate the level of certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "are probably to blame" without any supporting evidence. Even when you suspect someone or something, use qualifiers like 'may be responsible' or 'could be a factor' if you lack concrete proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are probably to blame" functions as a predicative expression that attributes responsibility or fault for a particular situation or outcome to a subject. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is used to suggest a likely cause or reason.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are probably to blame" is a common and grammatically sound way to suggest that someone or something is likely responsible for a particular problem or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and wiki contexts, carrying a neutral tone suitable for expressing informed opinions with a degree of uncertainty. When employing this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context provides some supporting evidence to avoid unfounded accusations, and to consider softer alternatives when certainty is low.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are most likely responsible

Replaces 'probably to blame' with a more direct assertion of responsibility.

are likely accountable

Substitutes 'to blame' with 'accountable', emphasizing responsibility.

are the likely cause

Shifts focus from blame to causation, suitable for impersonal contexts.

are possibly at fault

Replaces 'to blame' with 'at fault', softening the direct accusation.

are potentially responsible

Uses 'potentially' to indicate a possibility rather than a probability.

could be the reason for

Suggests a possible cause without directly assigning blame.

might be the culprit

Replaces 'to blame' with 'culprit', implying wrongdoing.

may be responsible

Uses "may" instead of "probably", reducing the certainty of the assertion.

could be the explanation for

Suggests a possible explanation rather than assigning direct responsibility.

are conceivably answerable

Emphasizes the possibility that they have to be answerable

FAQs

How can I use "are probably to blame" in a sentence?

You can use "are probably to blame" to suggest that someone or something is likely responsible for a problem or situation. For example, "The frequent power outages in this area are probably to blame for the damage to our appliances."

What are some alternatives to "are probably to blame"?

You can use alternatives like "are likely responsible", "may be at fault", or "could be the reason for" depending on the context.

Is it too strong to say "are probably to blame"?

The phrase "are probably to blame" implies a reasonable level of certainty based on available evidence. If the evidence is weak, consider using softer alternatives such as "might be responsible" or "could be a contributing factor".

What's the difference between "are probably to blame" and "are certainly to blame"?

"Are probably to blame" suggests a strong likelihood but allows for some doubt, while "are certainly to blame" implies absolute certainty. Use "are certainly to blame" only when you have irrefutable evidence.