attribute blame

USAGE SUMMARY

"attribute blame" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to assign blame or responsibility for something to someone or something else. For example, "The court attributed blame to the company for the environmental damage caused by their mining operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

The inspectors cannot attribute blame.

The Guardian

What a peculiar way to attribute blame.

The New York Times

This matters, because Railtrack's employees, in particular signalmen, attribute blame.

The Economist

It's a nice anecdote: subtext – don't take politicians too seriously when they attribute blame.

The Guardian

There are plenty of ways to attribute blame for the failure of the Google Books project.

The New Yorker

There are plenty of ways to attribute blame in this situation.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

But he's not too interested in attributing blame.

The Guardian

Tread the line between advocating prevention and attributing blame carefully.

Independent

We would do well to remember that before attributing blame to either genes or parents.

The Guardian

But in Kabul, Waheed Omar, a spokesman for the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, was blunt in attributing blame.

The Guardian

Wall Street analysts have had mixed views in attributing blame for the recent problems of AT&T Wireless.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about complex situations, be specific about to whom or what you "attribute blame". Vague attributions can lead to misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid "attributing blame" without a thorough investigation. Oversimplifying complex events and pointing fingers prematurely can damage reputations and hinder understanding of the root causes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attribute blame" functions as a verb phrase where "attribute" is the verb and "blame" is the direct object. It is used to describe the act of assigning responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attribute blame" is a common and grammatically correct way to assign responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI explains, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts but also appears in scientific and formal business writing. While closely related to alternatives like "assign blame" and "place blame", "attribute blame" often implies a more considered judgement. When using this phrase, ensure that the attribution is specific and supported by evidence to avoid misinterpretations or oversimplifications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign blame

A direct synonym focusing on the act of assigning responsibility.

ascribe blame

Similar to assign, but can also imply attributing blame based on belief or assumption.

place the blame

Focuses on the act of putting blame onto someone or something.

lay the blame

Similar to "place the blame", emphasizing the act of putting blame directly onto someone.

pin the blame

Suggests a more forceful or definitive assignment of blame.

impute blame

Implies attributing blame, often unfairly or unjustly.

fix blame

To definitively establish who is to blame.

apportion blame

Dividing blame among multiple parties.

hold accountable

Focuses on making someone responsible for their actions, which implies blame.

hold responsible

Similar to "hold accountable", but emphasizes duty and obligation.

FAQs

How do you use "attribute blame" in a sentence?

You can use "attribute blame" to indicate assigning responsibility for something negative. For example, "The report did not "attribute blame" for the accident, but instead focused on preventative measures."

What's the difference between "attribute blame" and "assign blame"?

"Attribute blame" and "assign blame" are largely synonymous. "Assign blame" might be seen as a more direct action, while "attribute blame" can imply a more considered judgment. You could "assign blame" immediately after an event, but "attribute blame" after an investigation.

Which is more formal, "attribute blame" or "place blame"?

"Attribute blame" generally carries a more formal tone than "place blame". "Place blame" is more conversational, while "attribute blame" is common in formal reports or analyses. In general, using "assign blame" is more common and has the same register.

What can I say instead of "attribute blame"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assign responsibility", "lay the fault", or "hold accountable". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.