blamed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'blamed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an action verb that indicates when one person holds another responsible for a mistake or problem. For example: The teacher blamed Sarah for not completing her homework assignment on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The authors say that the healthcare system cannot be solely blamed for this issue, which is strongly influenced by social and economic factors.

The Guardian

Anthony McIntyre, a former IRA life sentence prisoner and chief researcher on the Belfast project, defended the archive and blamed Boston College for failing to make clear to him and the interviewees that there was a legal treaty that allowed the British state to seize academic material from the United States.

The Guardian

The mission – which has already seen OPCW inspectors come under sniper fire – was agreed as a means to avoid US-led militactiontion against Syria following a gas attack blamed on forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad in August which killed more than 1,400 people.

The Guardian

Good job Fielding was there, or I might have blamed myself for being intolerant and not giving contemporary art and its language a chance.

The Guardian

"I often get blamed and sworn at for the congestion on the roads," he says.

The Guardian

In an interview with Lyse Doucet, Mekdad blamed the continued violence on foreign-backed "terrorist groups".

The Guardian

Blatter was said to have spent the weekend since his election victory, following which he blamed attempts to oust him on bitterness from the Americans and English for losing their World Cup bids, listening to pleas to stand down from those closest to him.

The Guardian - Sport

An AEC press release blamed "unprecedented cold weather".

The Guardian - Film

Government insiders insisted the reshuffle was tantamount to window-dressing, aimed at placating the bodies that had blamed Varoufakis for the lack of headway.

The Guardian - Business

After returning to the UK he blamed boredom for his drinking, saying that he could not guarantee he would not relapse.

The Guardian - Sport

Sturgeon said the UK government could be blamed for the fluctuations in sterling because it had refused to have "sensible discussions" about a formal deal to share the pound if there was a yes vote.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blamed", ensure that the subject being blamed is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Provide context to justify the attribution of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "blamed" without providing supporting evidence or a clear explanation. Overusing this word without justification can make your writing seem biased or accusatory. Use stronger evidence or neutral verbs such as "attributed" or "linked" when you don't have all the facts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "blamed" is as the past tense of the verb 'blame', indicating that responsibility or fault was assigned to someone or something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts, such as assigning responsibility for events or failures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blamed" functions as the past tense of 'blame' used to assign responsibility or fault for a past action or event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in the news media. Its neutral register allows it to be used in various contexts, though care should be taken to avoid overusing it without sufficient evidence, which could introduce bias. Related phrases such as "held accountable" or "attributed fault" can offer nuanced alternatives. The examples from Ludwig show the term's applicability across diverse situations. Ensure clear context when using "blamed" to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faulted for

Similar to "blamed", but can imply a less severe level of culpability.

held accountable

Focuses on responsibility and consequences.

held responsible

Similar to 'held accountable' but with a slightly broader application.

attributed fault

Highlights the action of assigning blame.

accused of

Directly charges someone with wrongdoing.

placed responsibility

Emphasizes the assignment of duty or obligation.

pointed the finger at

Suggests direct accusation or incrimination.

condemned for

Expresses strong disapproval and judgment.

implicated

Implies involvement in a negative event or action.

reproached for

Formal term for expressing disapproval or blame.

FAQs

How is "blamed" used in a sentence?

"Blamed" is used to indicate that someone or something is considered responsible for a fault or problem. For example, "The company was "blamed" for the environmental disaster".

What are some alternatives to the word "blamed"?

Alternatives to "blamed" include "held accountable", "attributed to", or "held responsible" depending on the context. Each carries slightly different connotations of responsibility or causation.

When is it appropriate to use the word "blamed" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "blamed" when there is a clear attribution of responsibility for something negative. Ensure the context supports the claim and avoid using it speculatively or without evidence.

What's the difference between "blamed" and "faulted"?

"Blamed" often carries a stronger connotation of responsibility and culpability than "faulted". "Faulted" can imply a less severe degree of responsibility or simply indicate a flaw or shortcoming.