attribute the blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attribute the blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of assigning responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing to someone or something. Example: "In the investigation, the committee decided to attribute the blame for the failure to poor planning and execution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But at least, let's attribute the blame properly here.

The Guardian - Opinion

He did not seek to attribute the blame to any deliberate change in policing tactics as a consequence of the Tomlinson incident".

The Guardian

UN weapons inspectors have confirmed a chemical attack took place but have been unable to definitively attribute the blame for it.

Independent

Russian aviation authorities often attribute the blame for crashes to crew error rather than mechanical failures on the country's aging fleet of passenger jets.

The New York Times

Barcelona left with legitimate complaints about the officiating, particularly when Mario Gomez and the outstanding Arjen Robben scored the second and third goals, but they would be kidding themselves if they want to attribute the blame elsewhere.

The Guardian - Sport

Women, particularly those in the Indian and Pakistani groups, also expressed serious concern and, in some cases, fear that their partner might attribute the blame for HPV infection to them, irrespective of their own previous sexual behaviour.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"It's difficult to tell how common [negative] experiences are, because mindfulness researchers have failed to measure them, and may even have discouraged participants from reporting them by attributing the blame to them".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One sugar baby – who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity – attributes the blame to daddies.

Vice

Attributing the Gamergate blame to the websites that covered it, rather than the – come on now, they are – absolute dick weasels whose campaign of hostility across Twitter and various forums threatened to permanently ruin the reputation of gamers in the eyes of those "non-gaming masses".

Vice

You can attribute, or blame, the beginning of the beautiful friendship to the new rules of Super Bowl selling.

The New York Times

Some scholars point out that dispute formation refers to the naming of disputes in terms of facts and attributes, the blaming of others, and the claiming of rights from self-identified offenders (Felstiner et al. 1980 1981; Cheng and Wu 2010).

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more specific verbs like 'assign', 'ascribe', or 'pinpoint' to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid attributing blame to entire groups or categories of people without specific evidence. Focus on individual actions and responsibilities instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attribute the blame" functions as a verb phrase, where "attribute" is the verb and "the blame" is the direct object. It indicates the action of assigning responsibility for something negative. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attribute the blame" is a grammatically correct expression used to assign responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure that the assignment of responsibility is supported by evidence to avoid unfair accusations. Alternatives like "assign the blame" or "place the blame" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. It's also important to avoid overgeneralizing blame to entire groups without specific evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign the responsibility

A more formal and direct way of indicating assignment of responsibility.

ascribe responsibility

Similar to assign, but can also imply a more general connection.

place the onus

Implies placing a burden of responsibility on someone.

impute fault

To attribute or ascribe fault or responsibility to someone.

fix the responsibility

Suggests determining and formally establishing responsibility.

pinpoint accountability

Focuses on identifying the specific person or entity accountable.

lay the responsibility

Indicates attributing or assigning responsibility to someone.

assign culpability

Formally attributing fault or guilt.

fasten the guilt

Suggests firmly attaching guilt or blame.

level accusation

Accusing or pointing to someone as responsible.

FAQs

What does "attribute the blame" mean?

To "attribute the blame" means to assign responsibility for a fault, error, or wrongdoing to someone or something.

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

You can use "attribute the blame" when discussing the act of assigning responsibility for a fault. For example: "The investigation sought to attribute the blame for the accident."

What are some alternatives to "attribute the blame"?

Alternatives include "assign the blame", "place the blame", or "ascribe responsibility".

Is it better to "attribute blame" or "take responsibility"?

"Attribute blame" focuses on assigning fault to someone else, while "take responsibility" involves accepting fault for one's own actions. The appropriate phrase depends on the context and whether you are assigning fault or accepting it.