be culpable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be culpable for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing responsibility or blame for a particular action or outcome. Example: "The committee found that the manager was culpable for the financial mismanagement of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The defense seemed to be suggesting that Mr. Taubman should not be culpable for a scheme that didn't take hold.

The New York Times

Do I really want to be culpable for the deaths of millions of birds, fish and, in the end, the planet itself?

The New York Times

The publicity at the time reflected scepticism by opponents in respect of the emphasis that adults would always be culpable for sex with those under the age of 16.

Independent

But, the anti-Islamic video, "The Innocence of Muslims," which sparked fatally violent protests in the Middle East, is wrapped up in a heated legal debate about whether its author should be culpable for his actions.

TechCrunch

Hooiveld went off with a calf injury before the half-hour mark as Adkins attempted to plug the holes in his defence, only for replacement Maya Yoshida to be culpable for the third goal.

BBC

After such a long time pushing that they would cut everyone off I wonder if it is the rising agenda of software liability or the threat that they may be culpable for some degree of damages if they 'could have acted' but elected not too for market reasons.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Wars are culpable for much of the killing of wildlife in Africa.

The New Yorker

The two institutions are viewed by the right as being culpable for the 2008 economic collapse.

The Guardian

She said the media wanted her to say she was culpable for Peter's death.

The Guardian

"Many people are culpable for the situation we now find ourselves in," he said.

The New York Times

There were many theories about who was culpable for the Christians' persecution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be culpable for" when you want to emphasize the blameworthiness or moral wrongness of an action, rather than just stating responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "be culpable for" when simply stating a duty or obligation. "Responsible for" is more appropriate for tasks or roles without implying fault.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be culpable for" functions as an adjectival phrase describing the state of being blameworthy or responsible for something, particularly a wrongdoing. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a degree of fault. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be culpable for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that conveys blameworthiness or responsibility for a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While "responsible for" is more general, "be culpable for" carries a stronger connotation of fault. Common contexts include News & Media and academic discussions. Alternative phrases include "be to blame for" or "be held accountable for", each with nuanced differences. Use "be culpable for" when emphasizing moral wrongness rather than simple duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be responsible for

A more general term for having a duty or obligation.

bear responsibility for

Emphasizes the act of carrying or accepting responsibility.

be held accountable for

Focuses on being required to answer for one's actions.

be to blame for

Directly assigns fault or blame.

be answerable for

Stresses the need to justify actions or outcomes.

be at fault for

Indicates being the cause of a negative outcome.

be liable for

Highlights legal or financial responsibility.

take the blame for

Focuses on the act of accepting responsibility for something.

be guilty of

Implies a formal acknowledgement of wrongdoing, often in a legal context.

shoulder the responsibility for

Emphasizes the burden of responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "be culpable for" to indicate that someone is blameworthy or responsible for a wrongdoing. For example, "The company was found to "be culpable for" the environmental damage".

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

"Be responsible for" generally means having a duty or obligation. "Be culpable for" implies blameworthiness or moral fault. Use "be responsible for" for neutral responsibility, and "be culpable for" when assigning blame.

What are some alternatives to "be culpable for"?

Alternatives include "be to blame for", "be held accountable for", or "bear responsibility for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "culpable of" a correct alternative to "be culpable for"?

While "culpable" can be followed by "of", the phrase "be culpable of" is less common than "be culpable for". "Culpable of" typically appears when discussing the specific act, while "be culpable for" connects to consequences or outcomes.