at whose doorstep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at whose doorstep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate responsibility or the location of an issue or situation that affects someone directly. Example: "The environmental crisis is one that lies at whose doorstep we must all take responsibility."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is Kraft at whose doorstep this controversy should really be laid.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Whose doorstep?

The Guardian - Sport

But at whose expense?

The New York Times - Books

Yes, at whose funeral?

Independent

But at whose home?

The New Yorker

Philipp Lahm wrote of his distress at rumors of his sexuality in his 2011 memoir "The Subtle Difference," and told a story of encountering a male fan at his doorstep whose admiration ran deeper than the Bayern Munich defender was comfortable with.

The New York Times

Bush's refusal to continue on to Baghdad, reluctance to intervene in Bosnia and criticism of Israel were laid at the doorstep of realists like Baker, whose record was, in truth, not unblemished.

The New York Times - Books

All these grievances were laid at the doorstep of the state's Republican governor, Sam Brownback, whose re-election the group opposed.

Huffington Post

Mr. Byanyima, a longtime leader in Uganda's Democratic Party, remembers a night in 1980, shortly after the fall of Mr. Amin, when a jittery Milton Obote, a former president whose government was accused of human rights abuses, arrived at his doorstep with a warning.

The New York Times

Isis was at his doorstep.

The Guardian

A delivery will arrive at your doorstep.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at whose doorstep" to subtly assign responsibility or point to the origin of a problem without being overly accusatory. It suggests a direct link between the issue and the entity in question.

Common error

Avoid using "at whose doorstep" if the responsibility is genuinely shared or unclear. Overusing it can create a biased or unfair impression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at whose doorstep" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, often used to indicate where responsibility or blame should be directed. Ludwig AI indicates that is commonly used in writing and speech.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "at whose doorstep" serves to assign responsibility or point to the origin of a problem, primarily within neutral to formal contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct, although the examples are rare. It's most commonly found in news and media. When you use it, ensure the responsibility is clear to avoid misattribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who is responsible for

This alternative directly asks about the person or entity bearing responsibility.

whose responsibility is it

This alternative phrases the question directly in terms of responsibility.

where the blame lies

This alternative focuses on the concept of blame and its location.

at whose feet

Similar to "at whose doorstep" but uses a different spatial metaphor.

who is to blame

This alternative directly asks about culpability.

who bears the burden

This alternative emphasizes the weight or difficulty associated with the responsibility.

who is accountable

This alternative emphasizes the obligation to answer for something.

where the buck stops

This is an idiom indicating the final point of responsibility.

whose concern is it

This alternative shifts the focus to who should be concerned or involved.

who is in charge

This alternative refers to the person or entity in a position of authority.

FAQs

How can I use "at whose doorstep" in a sentence?

You can use "at whose doorstep" to indicate where responsibility for a problem or situation lies. For example, "The controversy surrounding the product change is one that should really be laid "at whose doorstep" the parent company.".

What are some alternatives to "at whose doorstep"?

Alternatives include "who is responsible for", "where the blame lies", or "who bears the burden", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "at whose doorstep" formal or informal?

"At whose doorstep" leans towards formal usage, often appearing in news articles and business contexts. In more casual conversation, simpler phrases like "who's to blame?" might be more appropriate.

What does "at whose doorstep" imply?

The phrase "at whose doorstep" implies a direct connection between an issue or problem and the entity being referenced, suggesting that the entity has a significant role or responsibility in the matter.