bear the blame for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'bear the blame for' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that someone accepts responsibility for an event or situation where something has gone wrong. For example: "The CEO was willing to bear the blame for the company's financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Since the Republicans instigated the shutdown, they should bear the blame for it.

The New York Times

But, he said, the CIA as a whole ought not to bear the blame for torture.

The Guardian

The two sides are arguing in court over who will bear the blame for $19 million in losses.

The New York Times

A letter from "our young friend" about how we bear the blame for all the recent books and movies and television shows about the McCarthy era.

The New Yorker

In each case, as in the story of Gu Kailai, these women were made to bear the blame for mistakes by the authoritarian-minded men in their midst.

The New Yorker

But it shrewdly exploited the warning: "In a culture that emphasised individual responsibility, smokers would bear the blame for wilful risk-taking," notes Mr Brandt.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The question, not addressed in the article, is who bears the blame for this chaotic, private-sector price system.

The New York Times

For opponents of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose Justice and Development Party (AKP) has dominated Turkish politics for more than a decade, the President bears the blame for the increasingly poisonous tone.

Independent

Family members of the man killed in the riot sent word to Ms. Mohammedi that she bears the blame for his death.

The New York Times

He fought with Democratic lawmakers and ultimately bore the blame for a bad economy, losing re-election in 1992 to Mr. Clinton.

The New York Times

The bull run in commodities has been influenced by many factors, but Congress believes that Wall Street bears the blame for a large part of it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bear the blame for", ensure the context clearly identifies who is being held responsible and for what specific action or situation. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "bear the blame for" without sufficient evidence or justification. Ensure that the responsibility is appropriately assigned based on facts and circumstances to prevent unfair accusations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear the blame for" functions as a verb phrase that assigns or accepts responsibility for a negative outcome, error, or mistake. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for usage in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bear the blame for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies accepting or being assigned responsibility for a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various authoritative sources, particularly in news and media contexts. While ""take the blame for"" and "shoulder the blame for" offer similar meanings, context is key when choosing the most appropriate alternative. When using this phrase, clarity is paramount to ensure accurate attribution of responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the blame for

Emphasizes accepting responsibility, sometimes to protect others.

shoulder the blame for

Implies a willingness to carry the burden of responsibility.

accept responsibility for

A more formal way of acknowledging fault.

be held accountable for

Focuses on being answerable for one's actions or the actions of others.

answer for

Suggests a need to justify or defend one's actions.

be responsible for

States a general obligation or duty regarding a situation.

face the consequences of

Highlights the negative outcomes resulting from an action.

be liable for

A legal term indicating legal responsibility.

own up to

An informal expression for admitting fault.

carry the can

An idiomatic phrase meaning to take the blame, often unfairly.

FAQs

What does "bear the blame for" mean?

To "bear the blame for" something means to accept or be assigned responsibility for a mistake, error, or negative outcome.

How can I use "bear the blame for" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The manager had to "take the blame for" the project's failure", or "The company will "be held accountable for" the environmental damage".

What's a more formal alternative to "bear the blame for"?

A more formal alternative is "accept responsibility for". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "bear the responsibility" instead of "bear the blame for"?

While "bear the responsibility for" is grammatically correct, it implies a broader duty or obligation, whereas "bear the blame for" specifically refers to accepting fault for something negative.