at no fault

USAGE SUMMARY

"at no fault" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something happened or is the case, but not due to any fault or mistake of the person or thing involved. For example: The computer system went down, but the technician was not at fault.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

An estimated four million American families, at no fault of their own, have lost their homes to foreclosure since 2007.

Huffington Post

Which, to me, suggests that Lyme disease may have been mimicking Meniere's disease, and that that illness probably was misdiagnosed at no fault of the ENT specialist).

Huffington Post

In almost all circumstances, these are people who have suffered the loss of life, destroyed homes, and ruined livelihoods at no fault of their own.

Huffington Post

Just like "Death Tax," "Nuclear Family" or "Gotcha Journalism," any sort of meaning is replaced with ignorant fear at no fault of our own because no one will just sit down and have an honest conversation about it.

Huffington Post

Europe has a responsibility to protect those people whose livelihoods have been built, at no fault to themselves, on a failing to value the long-term viability of the planet rather than short-term profit.

EU Parlament

Healthy, perfectly social Guinea pigs are really frequently being rehomed on Craigslist at no fault of their own.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"That is not the situation at Glan Clwyd and at Ysbyty Gwynedd, and its no fault of the staff.

BBC

Hockey's summer had turned hellish — this time, at least, through no fault of its own.

The New Yorker

At 25, through no fault of her own, she had Type 1 diabetes, formerly called juvenile diabetes.

The New York Times

Thousands of children's futures have been detrimentally affected and it has placed these children and their families at risk through no fault of their own.

The Guardian

Wiggins deserves some sympathy after the hand he has been dealt, with illness and the loss of, as David Millar put it, his "descending mojo", both of which can strike at cyclists through no fault of their own.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at no fault" in legal or formal contexts, ensure it's supported by evidence or documentation to avoid ambiguity or disputes.

Common error

Avoid using "at no fault" to downplay genuine accountability. Ensure a thorough investigation has been conducted before exonerating someone or something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at no fault" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the absence of responsibility or culpability for a particular event or situation. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at no fault" serves as an adverbial phrase to indicate a lack of responsibility or culpability for a specific event. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register and is used to absolve blame. Related phrases include "without blame" and "not responsible". When using "at no fault", it's important to ensure it aligns with the facts and evidence to avoid misattributing cause and effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clear of any fault

Similar, but uses "clear" to indicate the absence of fault.

Without blame

Emphasizes the absence of culpability or responsibility in a more direct way.

Not responsible

Directly states the absence of responsibility.

Not to blame

A more conversational way to express the absence of fault.

Innocent of any wrongdoing

Highlights the lack of any improper actions or misconduct.

Without culpability

Uses a more formal term to denote lack of guilt or responsibility.

Free from liability

Focuses on the legal aspect of not being held accountable.

Not at all accountable

Stresses the complete absence of accountability.

Exempt from responsibility

Highlights the state of being excused or freed from having to be responsible.

Not guilty

Primarily used in legal contexts, but can be used more broadly to indicate lack of fault.

FAQs

How can I use "at no fault" in a sentence?

You can use "at no fault" to indicate that someone or something is not responsible for a particular situation. For example, "The damage occurred "at no fault of the driver"."

What is a good alternative to "at no fault"?

Alternatives include "without blame", "not responsible", or "innocent of any wrongdoing", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "through no fault of their own"?

Yes, "through no fault of their own" is a common and grammatically correct variation of "at no fault", used to emphasize that the affected party is not responsible for the situation.

What does "no-fault" mean in legal terms?

In a legal context, "no-fault" often refers to systems like "no-fault insurance", where compensation is provided regardless of who caused the accident, streamlining the claims process.