assign the blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assign the blame" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing accountability or responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. Example: "In the meeting, the manager decided to assign the blame for the project's failure to the marketing team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Courts want to assign the blame.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Also, with new and unfamiliar material, it's not always easy to assign the blame.

The New York Times

CALIFORNIA'S candidates for governor, especially the two Republican ones, assign the blame for California's ongoing budget crisis with little difficulty.

The Economist

The rocket failure prompted speculation that the North Korean leadership might engineer a purge to assign the blame.

The New York Times

Mr. Shelby complained in a television interview today that "some people on the committee don't want to assign the blame or accountability".

The New York Times

The board, however, would assign the blame for such problems not primarily to the management team and instead to the chief executive himself or herself.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Frum has no trouble assigning the blame.

The New York Times - Books

To the food industry, assigning the blame to any one type of food is simplistic.

The New York Times

In the New Jersey Rep production, it's not clear to whom he assigns the blame.

The New York Times

"We already assigned the blame to somebody and now we are just trying to connect backwards".

The New York Times

But the public is divided along party lines when assigning the blame for the scrutiny of the Tea Party and other conservative groups.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional contexts, consider using this phrase judiciously, as it can create a negative atmosphere. Focus on identifying causes and solutions rather than solely on blaming individuals.

Common error

Avoid using "assign the blame" without specifying who or what is being blamed. Ensure the target of the blame is clear and specific to prevent ambiguity and misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assign the blame" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe the act of attributing responsibility or fault for something negative. It indicates who or what is considered responsible for a mistake, error, or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "assign the blame" is a verbal phrase used to denote the act of attributing responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, its usage should be carefully considered, especially in professional settings, due to its potential accusatory tone. Alternative phrases such as "identify the cause" or "determine the responsibility" may be more appropriate depending on the context. This phrase commonly appears in news and media, wiki and scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pin the blame

This alternative is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes pointing out who is responsible in a more decisive way.

lay the blame

This alternative is more direct and implies placing responsibility squarely on someone or something.

attribute the blame

This alternative is more formal and suggests a reasoned assignment of responsibility.

apportion the blame

This alternative suggests dividing the responsibility among multiple parties.

allocate the blame

This alternative is similar to "apportion", implying a formal distribution of responsibility.

fix the blame

This alternative suggests definitively establishing who is at fault.

ascribe fault

This alternative is a more concise and formal way to assign responsibility for an error or wrongdoing.

place responsibility

This alternative is a general way to indicate who is accountable without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

hold accountable

This alternative focuses on making someone answerable for their actions or omissions.

cast the guilt

This alternative is more dramatic and emotive, emphasizing the sense of culpability.

FAQs

How can I use "assign the blame" in a sentence?

You can use "assign the blame" to indicate the act of attributing responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing. For example: "The committee's purpose was to "assign the blame" for the budget overruns".

What's a less accusatory alternative to "assign the blame"?

Instead of "assign the blame", consider using phrases like "identify the cause" or "determine the responsibility" to focus on problem-solving rather than fault-finding.

Is it better to "assign the blame" or focus on solutions?

While assigning blame can sometimes be necessary for accountability, it's often more productive to focus on identifying the root causes of a problem and implementing solutions to prevent future occurrences.

What phrases are similar in meaning to "assign the blame"?

Similar phrases include "lay the blame", "pin the blame", and "attribute the fault", all of which suggest attributing responsibility for a negative outcome.