be culpable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be culpable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibility for a wrongdoing or fault in a legal or moral context. Example: "If the investigation finds evidence of negligence, the company may be culpable for the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The players and board should be culpable.

Independent

"I did not want to be culpable," she said.

The New Yorker

It was in elementary schools that parents were occasionally alleged to be culpable.

The New York Times

But all the violence is just too cartoonishly absurd to be culpable in that sense.

The Guardian - Film

But an errant doctor, who may also be culpable, can get paid for operating again.

The New York Times

What exactly went wrong is not yet known, although a new program is thought to be culpable.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The ICC is culpable.

Independent

But who is culpable?

The Guardian - Tech

Here he was culpable.

The Guardian - Sport

Again Chaouchi is culpable.

The Guardian - Sport

It was culpable foul play.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be culpable", clearly state the action or event for which someone is responsible. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating that someone or something "be culpable" without providing supporting evidence or a clear explanation of the wrongdoing. Ensure there is a logical connection between the actions and the alleged culpability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be culpable" functions primarily as a predicate adjective following a linking verb. It describes the subject by attributing blame or responsibility for something. Ludwig examples show its usage in legal, ethical, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be culpable" is a common expression used to assign blame or responsibility, particularly in contexts involving wrongdoing or negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse sources, including news media, scientific publications, and formal business communications.

While seemingly interchangeable alternatives like "be responsible" or "be at fault" exist, "be culpable" carries a stronger connotation of blameworthiness. When using the phrase, it's crucial to provide clear context and evidence to support the attribution of culpability.

Avoiding ambiguity and ensuring a logical connection between actions and blame are essential for effective communication. By following these guidelines, writers can confidently and accurately employ the phrase "be culpable" in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be blameworthy

A direct synonym for "be culpable", emphasizing the deserving of blame.

be to blame

This phrase directly indicates who should be blamed for something.

be at fault

This focuses on the presence of a mistake or error.

be responsible

This alternative focuses on general responsibility rather than specifically blame.

be guilty

Indicates culpability, especially in a legal context, with a more direct assertion of guilt.

bear the responsibility

This suggests carrying the weight of responsibility.

answer for

Implies taking responsibility and providing an explanation.

be held accountable

This emphasizes the aspect of being made to answer for one's actions.

be liable

A legal term indicating legal responsibility.

carry the can

An idiomatic phrase suggesting taking the blame, often unfairly.

FAQs

How can I use "be culpable" in a sentence?

You can use "be culpable" to indicate that someone or something deserves blame or censure for a wrongdoing. For example, "The company may "be culpable" if the investigation reveals negligence".

What's a good alternative to "be culpable"?

Alternatives include "be responsible", "be to blame", or "be at fault". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is culpable" or "be culpable"?

Both are correct depending on the context. "Is culpable" is used when referring to a specific instance, while "be culpable" is often used in conditional or hypothetical statements. For instance, "He is culpable for the error" versus "The company may "be culpable" if found negligent".

What's the difference between "be culpable" and "be responsible"?

"Be responsible" generally means having a duty or obligation, while "be culpable" specifically implies blameworthiness or guilt. You can "be responsible" for something without "be culpable" if there was no wrongdoing involved.