blamed on

USAGE SUMMARY

'blamed on' is a perfectly usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used in the sense of attributing responsibility for something to somebody/something else. For example: "The failure of the experiment was blamed on a faulty machine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is always blamed on the price of paper.

Forbes

The disaster is blamed on illegal construction.

Independent

It was blamed on dissident republicans.

The Economist

— The robbery is blamed on the monkeys.

The New Yorker

Violence was blamed on demonstrators.

The Guardian - Opinion

It can't be blamed on "socialism" either.

The Economist

Fires even spontaneous combustion are blamed on him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"That was blamed on a 'foreign object'".

The Guardian - Business

The attacks had been blamed on refugees.

The Guardian

"It can't be blamed on me.

The Guardian

Email overload is usually blamed on spam.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blamed on", ensure that the attribution is supported by evidence or credible sources to avoid making unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "blamed on" to oversimplify complex situations; instead, acknowledge multiple contributing factors where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blamed on" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically follows a passive verb. Its primary grammatical function is to assign responsibility or causation for a specific event or situation. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "blamed on" is a common and grammatically correct way to assign responsibility or causation, typically for a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the attribution is well-supported and avoid oversimplifying complex issues. Consider alternatives such as "attributed to" or "held responsible for" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held responsible for

Directly states who is accountable for an action or event.

ascribed responsibility to

Explicitly assigns responsibility to a person or entity.

attributed to

Focuses on the act of attributing something to a cause or person, often without the negative connotation of blame.

ascribed to

Similar to 'attributed to', but can also imply a quality or characteristic being assigned.

traced back to

Focuses on identifying the origin or cause of something, implying responsibility.

laid at the door of

Emphasizes direct responsibility and is often used in formal contexts.

put down to

Indicates attributing something to a specific reason or cause, often in a more informal context.

pinned on

Suggests a more forceful or even unfair assignment of blame.

charged to

Implies responsibility and accountability, often in a formal setting.

imputed to

A more formal and sometimes legalistic way of assigning responsibility.

FAQs

How do you use "blamed on" in a sentence?

You can use "blamed on" to indicate that someone or something is considered responsible for a negative outcome. For example: "The accident was "blamed on" the driver's negligence."

What can I say instead of "blamed on"?

You can use alternatives like "attributed to", "ascribed to", or "held responsible for" depending on the context.

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

Both "blamed on" and "blamed for" can be correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Blamed on" is used when attributing the cause to something, while "blamed for" is used when holding someone accountable. For example: 'The failure was "blamed on" the weather' vs. 'He was "blamed for" the mistake'.

What's the difference between "blamed on" and "attributed to"?

"Blamed on" typically carries a negative connotation, implying fault or responsibility for something bad. "Attributed to" is more neutral and simply means something is considered the cause or origin of something else.