as to the culprit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as to the culprit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing or referring to the identity or actions of a person responsible for a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "The investigation revealed several leads, but there was still uncertainty as to the culprit behind the theft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The final shot of the television film of the play, starring Ingrid Bergman, leaves no doubt as to the culprit, lingering grimly on the shining black handset, still emitting the dead end of a dial tone as the credits roll.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the succeeding years, as investigators came up empty on clues, the public had its own theories as to the culprits.

The New York Times

And he has pending two other legal motions to crack open the $174 million settlement, paid with CA's own stock, so as to force the culprits to pay the tab.

Forbes

Although speculation had been running wild as to the identity of the culprit, hackers, crackers, pirates and thieves treading on the seamy side of cyberspace were committing "serial bragging" taking credit for the attacks on hacker chat channels.

Forbes

There are 12 Spurs players who are theoretically under suspicion, and everyone in the room had their own theories as to who the culprits could be.

Independent

However, as much as "technology" seems to be the culprit these days, it can also provide some solutions.

The New York Times

Even the woman who refuses to name the culprit as she bleeds to death seems to accede to the view that she brought it on herself.

The New Yorker

We'd like to point to pollution as the culprit, but we need a lot more information".

The New York Times

Even the woman — who refuses to name the culprit as she bleeds to death — seems to accede to the view that she brought it on herself.

The New Yorker

In one study, Wells staged a theft and then tested eyewitnesses' ability to identify the culprit, as well as the persuasiveness of their testimony.

The New Yorker

While Mr Douthat seems to suggest more widespread access to abortion as the culprit, that is not the only cause of the gendercide many baby girls are simply killed and where sex-selective abortion is the cause it is only a proximate one.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as to the culprit" in formal contexts where you want to maintain a degree of detachment or objectivity when discussing responsibility for an action.

Common error

Avoid using "as to the culprit" in informal settings or conversations, as it can sound overly stiff or unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "about the person responsible" or "regarding who did it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as to the culprit" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that expresses uncertainty or inquiry. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it usually precedes a statement concerning speculation or investigation into who is responsible for a specific action or event. Ludwig AI indicates that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as to the culprit" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce uncertainty or inquiry about the responsible party. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is relatively rare and leans toward formal contexts, particularly in news and media. Simpler alternatives like "regarding the culprit" are more common in everyday language. It's important to consider the tone and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase, opting for more accessible options in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about the perpetrator

Highlights the individual who carried out a crime or harmful act.

regarding the wrongdoer

Focuses specifically on the individual who committed a wrongdoing.

concerning the offender

Emphasizes the person who violated a rule or law.

in relation to the guilty party

A more formal way of referring to the person found responsible.

concerning who committed the crime

Specifically refers to the act of committing a crime.

with respect to the wrongdoer

Indicates a more formal and respectful tone when discussing the person responsible.

regarding who is responsible

Focuses on the act of assigning responsibility.

in connection with the offender

Highlights the link between the discussion and the person who committed the offense.

about who is at fault

Emphasizes blame and responsibility for an error or mistake.

in terms of the party responsible

A more verbose way of indicating the person accountable for something.

FAQs

How can I use "as to the culprit" in a sentence?

You can use "as to the culprit" when you want to express uncertainty or inquiry about the person or thing responsible for something. For example, "The investigation is still ongoing, and there are conflicting opinions "as to the culprit"."

What are some alternatives to "as to the culprit"?

Alternatives include phrases like "regarding the person responsible", "concerning the offender", or "about the perpetrator". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "as to the culprit" formal or informal?

"As to the culprit" tends to be more formal. In informal situations, simpler phrases like "who did it" or "who's responsible" are more appropriate.

Which is more common: "as to the culprit" or "regarding the culprit"?

"Regarding the culprit" is generally more common and sounds less stilted than "as to the culprit". Both are acceptable, but "regarding" is more frequently used in contemporary English.