being culpable for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being 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 being culpable for the project's failure due to lack of oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

The answer lies in how you understand complicity, the state of being culpable for a (perceived) crime without carrying it out yourself.

The Economist

Despite European splits about how aggressively to respond, all 28 leaders said there was "no plausible alternative explanation" other than the Kremlin being culpable for the attack.

The Washington Post

"In saying that, 'I misinterpreted the rules,' he didn't come across to me as being culpable for the actions he had taken.

The New York Times - Sports

Fossil fuels companies like it, because it allows their business model to have a future without being culpable for breaking the carbon budget.

The Guardian

He promised that individuals identified in the report as being culpable for the editorial failings would be subject to a "disciplinary process" that would be "fair to those individuals".

Independent

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

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

A situation has arisen where only one of Bill and Rex can live and neither is culpable for the situation.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, consider the context. Is it a legal matter, a matter of ethics, or simply a question of who made a mistake? Choose the phrase that best fits the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "being culpable for" when describing neutral or positive outcomes. Culpability implies wrongdoing, so ensure the action or situation warrants such a description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being culpable for" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by a preposition. It describes the state of someone bearing responsibility for a wrongdoing or negative outcome. Ludwig provides examples where the phrase is used to assign blame or fault.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being culpable for" is a phrase used to assign blame or responsibility for a negative outcome. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While similar to "being responsible for", it carries a stronger connotation of fault. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants assigning blame, and consider alternatives like "being accountable for" if a more neutral tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being responsible for

Focuses on general accountability, broader than legal culpability.

bearing responsibility for

Highlights the acceptance and management of accountability.

being accountable for

Emphasizes the obligation to answer for actions and outcomes.

being answerable for

Similar to accountable, but may imply a more formal setting or hierarchical structure.

being liable for

Highlights legal responsibility and potential consequences.

being to blame for

Directly assigns fault for a negative occurrence.

being at fault for

Similar to 'being to blame', but slightly less accusatory.

being guilty of

Implicates direct involvement in a crime or wrongdoing.

being in charge of

Highlights responsibility through a leading role

being the cause of

Focuses on identifying the source of an event or problem, not necessarily assigning blame.

FAQs

How is "being culpable for" different from "being responsible for"?

"Being responsible for" is a broader term indicating general accountability, while "being culpable for" suggests fault or blame for a specific negative outcome. The former can be neutral, whereas the latter is inherently negative.

What are some alternatives to "being culpable for"?

Alternatives include "being responsible for", "being accountable for", "being liable for", or "being to blame for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "being culpable for"?

It's most appropriate to use "being culpable for" when discussing situations where someone is at fault or deserves blame for a negative consequence, such as a mistake, an accident, or a crime.

Can "being culpable for" be used in a positive context?

No, "being culpable for" carries a negative connotation, indicating responsibility for something bad. It should not be used in positive contexts.