at fault here

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at fault here" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is responsible for a mistake or problem in a specific situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that the company was at fault here for the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who's at fault here?

The New York Times

But who is at fault here?

The New Yorker

Who, if anyone, is at fault here?

The New York Times

My take is that all sides are at fault here.

The New York Times

The United Nations organizers are mainly at fault here.

The New York Times

If the friend was irresponsible, Gene-o concludes, "the owners are ultimately at fault here".

The New York Times - Magazine

Or is it the American people who are at fault here?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Some people may feel protective of Christianity, but Christianity is at fault here.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is not only the Telegraph that is at fault here," he said.

The Guardian

"I truly believed the White House was not at fault here," he said.

The New York Times

The big question that underlies the entire narrative — Who's at fault here?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of blame versus responsibility when using "at fault here". If the goal is to assign blame, this phrase is suitable; if simply indicating responsibility, a more neutral term like "responsible" might be preferable.

Common error

Avoid using "at fault here" without clearly defining what the person or entity is being blamed for. For example, instead of saying "The manager is at fault here", specify "The manager is at fault here for failing to implement safety protocols."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at fault here" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, indicating responsibility or culpability for a specific situation or problem. As noted by Ludwig AI, it signifies who is responsible for a mistake or issue.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

14%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at fault here" is a common and grammatically sound way to assign blame or responsibility, as validated by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and media, as well as academic discussions, to pinpoint who is responsible for a specific problem. While generally neutral, its formality can be adjusted using alternative phrases like "liable here" (more formal) or simply "responsible here" (more neutral). When using "at fault here", ensure clarity by specifying the exact action or omission that constitutes the fault and avoid ambiguous phrasing. By understanding its nuances and alternatives, you can effectively communicate responsibility in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to blame in this situation

Replaces "at fault" with "to blame", directly assigning responsibility, while "here" is changed to "in this situation" broadening scope of consideration.

responsible in this case

Substitutes "at fault" with the more neutral "responsible", indicating accountability without necessarily implying blame; "here" is changed to "in this case" for a slightly more formal tone.

who should be blamed in this context

Directly asks who should receive blame, which can be more accusatory than stating someone is "at fault". "In this context" broadens the scope.

culpable in this instance

Replaces "at fault" with "culpable", emphasizing legal or moral responsibility, while "here" is replaced with "in this instance" to give a more formal tone.

who is liable here

Focuses on legal liability, suggesting a potential for legal consequences. "Liable" is a legal term, making the phrase more formal.

accountable in this scenario

Emphasizes accountability rather than fault, suggesting a duty to explain or justify actions. "Here" is replaced by "in this scenario" for a more formal nuance.

who is to be held responsible here

Emphasizes the act of holding someone accountable, implying a process of assigning blame or liability. Focuses on a future action of assigning blame.

who carries the responsibility here

Shifts the focus to identifying the bearer of responsibility instead of directly stating fault. "Carries the responsibility" is less direct than "at fault".

who bears the onus here

Replaces "at fault" with "bears the onus", which suggests a burden of proof or responsibility. "Onus" is more formal and less common than "fault".

the responsibility lies with whom here

Inverts the sentence structure to emphasize the location of responsibility, making it less direct and slightly more formal. Uses a more roundabout phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "at fault here" in a sentence?

You can use "at fault here" to indicate who is responsible for an error or problem in a particular situation. For example, "After the investigation, it was determined that the supplier was "at fault here" for the defective parts."

What are some alternatives to "at fault here"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "responsible here", "to blame here", or "culpable in this instance".

Is "at fault here" formal or informal?

"At fault here" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In more formal contexts, consider using "responsible in this case" or "liable here".

What's the difference between "at fault here" and "responsible here"?

"At fault here" often implies blame, while "responsible here" simply indicates accountability. Someone can be responsible without necessarily being at fault if the issue was beyond their control.