being blamed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being blamed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of someone attributing fault or responsibility to another person. Example: "She felt frustrated about being blamed for the team's failure, even though she had contributed significantly to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It felt like we were being blamed".

Independent

"The fear of being blamed.

The Guardian

Muslim Brotherhood supporters are being blamed.

The Guardian

The colonial whites are being blamed.

The Guardian - Film

"So, basically, I'm being blamed for your memories?" "Pretty much".

The New Yorker

Food adverts on TV are also being blamed for obesity.

The Economist

And blacks and Latinos were being blamed for that.

The New York Times

Still, Woods is not being blamed for the poor sales.

The New York Times - Sports

"The producer was being blamed for not arranging hot food.

Independent

When they are not being blamed for recording poor results, they are being blamed for not recording poor results.

The Economist

It was as if he were being blamed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being blamed", ensure the context clearly indicates who is assigning the blame and for what reason. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "being blamed" in overly passive constructions where the actor assigning the blame is unclear. Specify who is doing the blaming to maintain a strong and direct voice. Instead of "Mistakes were being blamed", write "Managers were blaming mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being blamed" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a passive construction. It describes the state of receiving blame or responsibility for something. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it commonly appears in sentences where someone is experiencing or fearing accusations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being blamed" is a common and versatile phrase used to describe the act of receiving blame or responsibility for something. As shown by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, writers should ensure clarity by specifying who is assigning the blame. Alternatives like "held accountable" or "accused of" can be used to add nuance. The Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and prevalence, making it a reliable choice for expressing the concept of receiving blame in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting the blame

A more direct and straightforward way of expressing that someone is receiving blame.

held responsible

Similar to "held accountable", but emphasizes the duty to bear consequences.

held accountable

Focuses on the responsibility aspect, implying an obligation to answer for actions.

accused of

Directly points to an accusation, suggesting a formal charge or allegation.

faulted for

Highlights the assignment of fault or error to someone or something.

implicated in

Suggests involvement, often in a negative context such as a crime or scandal.

reproached for

Indicates a strong expression of disapproval or criticism.

censured for

Implies a formal reprimand or condemnation, often by an authority.

scapegoated for

Indicates that someone is unfairly blamed to deflect attention from other issues.

taking the rap

An informal expression for accepting blame, often for someone else's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "being blamed" in a sentence?

You can use "being blamed" to describe a situation where someone is receiving criticism or responsibility for a negative outcome. For example, "The team member felt he was "being blamed" for the project's failure, even though it was a group effort".

What are some alternatives to "being blamed"?

Alternatives to "being blamed" include "held accountable", "held responsible", or "accused of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "being blamed" or "getting blamed"?

Both "being blamed" and "getting blamed" are acceptable, but "being blamed" is generally considered more formal. "Getting blamed" is more colloquial and suitable for informal contexts.

Can "being blamed" be used in both formal and informal writing?

"Being blamed" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal writing. However, consider the tone and audience when making your choice. In very formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives like "held responsible".