as culpable as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as culpable as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare someone's level of guilt or responsibility to that of another person or entity, often in a figurative sense. Example: "He was as culpable as a co-conspirator in the crime, despite his claims of ignorance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

His lawyers, however, say Rajaratnam is a lesser-order felon — "not... as culpable as a defendant who affirmatively steals," as they put it in a pre-sentencing memorandum.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even though Mr. Rajaratnam made money from the tips he received, "a defendant tippee who profits from illegal trading does not engage in conduct that is as culpable as a defendant who affirmatively steals the same amount from an identifiable victim," the defense memorandum states.

The New York Times

The anti-apartheid movement was uncompromising in its insistence that a consumer buying South African oranges or wine was as culpable as a multinational investor, and became the first campaign to succeed in encouraging individuals to connect their purchasing power with international politics.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our representative democracy was built on the ideal that ordinary people held the keys to power, but today our government is more reflective of an oligarchy than a democracy and to a large extent we the people are as culpable as any other factor in democracy's slow yet persistent demise.

Huffington Post

However, O'Connell was as culpable as any of the Celtic players when Astana scored their goal from a corner and it is an issue Rodgers will address.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite my objections to the pervasiveness of unpaid internships, I am as culpable as any other intern or organisation that buys into the system by participating in it.

The Guardian - Money

Davies's right foot let him down from six yards as the game entered its closing quarter, then Cox was as culpable as he missed a header near the post.

The Guardian - Sport

But by refusing to explain whether it was Trescothick or his family who were feeling the strain - his wife had recently had a baby - they are as culpable as the ICC in ignoring the personal pressures of perpetual touring.

The Guardian - Sport

Laura thinks that getting things badly wrong is a form of lying to oneself and therefore as culpable as lying.

Independent

Lady Claudia Rothermere, wife of the owner of the Mail, was also said to have overheard Brooks say at a dinner party that the Mail was just as culpable as the NoW.

The Guardian

Moffett also said Regional Rugby Wales - which represents Newport Gwent Dragons, Cardiff Blues, Ospreys and Scarlets - were as "culpable" as the WRU for the on-going dispute between the two sides over a new participation agreement.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as culpable as a" to draw a direct comparison of responsibility or blame between two parties. It is particularly effective when arguing that someone or something shares an equal level of culpability with another.

Common error

Avoid using "as culpable as a" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase's formal tone can sound stilted or pretentious in everyday contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "just as guilty" or "equally to blame".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as culpable as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It serves to equate the degree of guilt or blameworthiness of one subject to another. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as culpable as a" is a grammatically sound phrase used to draw a direct comparison of responsibility or blame. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its relatively low frequency suggests a more formal or specialized context. It's most commonly found in news and media sources, emphasizing its use in reporting on events involving shared accountability. When writing, consider whether the formal tone of "as culpable as a" is appropriate for your audience, or whether simpler alternatives might be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

equally blameworthy as

Replaces "culpable" with "blameworthy", emphasizing fault.

just as responsible as

Substitutes "culpable" with "responsible", focusing on accountability.

as guilty as

Uses the more direct term "guilty" in place of "culpable".

as much to blame as

Rephrases to focus on the degree of blame.

as much at fault as

Similar to "as much to blame as", but slightly less formal.

as accountable as

Emphasizes accountability instead of culpability.

as deserving of blame as

Emphasizes the deserving nature of the blame.

no less liable than

Shifts focus to legal liability.

as complicit as

Highlights involvement in a wrongdoing.

as much in the wrong as

Focuses on the wrongfulness of the actions.

FAQs

How can I use "as culpable as a" in a sentence?

You can use "as culpable as a" to compare the degree of responsibility or guilt between two parties. For example, "The regulator argued that the company's executives were "just as responsible as" the board for the financial mismanagement."

What are some alternatives to "as culpable as a"?

Alternatives to "as culpable as a" include "equally guilty", "just as responsible", or "equally to blame". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "equally as culpable as a"?

While the meaning is clear, "equally as culpable as a" is slightly redundant. It's generally better to use either "equally culpable as a" or "as culpable as a" for conciseness and clarity.

When is it appropriate to use "as culpable as a" in writing?

The phrase "as culpable as a" is suitable for formal writing, legal contexts, and situations where a precise comparison of responsibility is required. It's less appropriate for casual or informal communication.