blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'blame' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is being held responsible for something. For example, "His boss blamed him for the lost project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I don't blame them".

The New York Times - Sports

Who can blame him?

The New York Times

Who was to blame?

The Economist

And who can blame him.

The New York Times

If there was anyone to blame, it would be all of us.

The New York Times

A healthy "attention span" becomes just another ineffable quality to remember having, to believe you've lost, to worry about your kids lacking, to blame the culture for destroying.

The New York Times - Magazine

And who could blame them?

The New York Times

And it's Farage, and his apparent addiction to media attention, that they blame.

The Guardian - Opinion

The avowedly secular, pro-European community – at the last count 120,000-strong 120,000-strong blame, squarely, withashe neo-IslaidstheK party led blamerkey'squarelysingly authoritarian president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The Guardian

I blame you for my resulting square eyes but it was entirely worth it ;-) Anyway, my question is about music.

The Guardian

Speaking to journalists on his arrival at Vienna airport on Tuesday, Mohammad Javad Zarif said that after nine months of increasingly intense negotiations an agreement was still possible, but Tehran would not be to blame if the talks collapsed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blame", clearly specify who or what is being blamed and the reason for the blame to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "blame" without clearly stating the cause or object; be specific about who or what is at fault to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The word "blame" functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it expresses the act of assigning responsibility for something negative. As a noun, it refers to the responsibility itself. Ludwig's examples show common usage in assigning fault.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "blame" is a versatile term, functioning as both a noun and a verb, primarily used to assign responsibility for negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. The term is commonly found in News & Media, with less frequency in formal contexts. While generally neutral in register, clarity in assigning "blame" is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "hold accountable" or "assign responsibility" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay the fault

Similar to "blame", but can imply a more formal or decisive assignment of culpability.

hold responsible

Directly states that someone is considered answerable for an action or outcome.

hold accountable

Shifts focus to demanding responsibility, implying consequences for actions.

attribute fault

Focuses on ascribing errors or shortcomings to a specific cause or person.

assign responsibility

Emphasizes the act of designating who is responsible for something.

reproach

Expresses disapproval or disappointment in a milder or more formal way.

point the finger

A more informal way of indicating who is at fault.

level criticism

Highlights the act of expressing disapproval or finding fault.

cast aspersions

Implies damaging someone's reputation, more indirect than direct blame.

denounce

A strong expression of disapproval, publicly declaring something as wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "blame" in a sentence?

You can use "blame" to express that someone or something is responsible for a negative outcome. For example, "They "blame" the weather for the delays."

What can I say instead of "blame"?

You can use alternatives such as "hold accountable", "assign responsibility", or "lay the fault", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "blame on" or "blame for"?

The correct usage is typically "blame someone for something". While "blame on" can sometimes be heard, it is less grammatically precise.

What's the difference between "blame" and "responsibility"?

"Blame" implies fault or culpability, while "responsibility" simply indicates a duty or obligation. You can have responsibility without "blame".