broad blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broad blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where blame is assigned widely or generally, rather than to specific individuals or groups. Example: "In the aftermath of the scandal, there was broad blame directed at the entire organization for the failure to act."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A12 Broad Blame in Ferry Deaths Government incompetence and "wicked collusion" between a ferry owner and a government agency resulted in the drowning of more than 1,000 people in the Red Sea in February, when an Egyptian passenger ship sank, according to the findings of a preliminary parliamentary investigation.

The New York Times

It's very broad blame.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, the stalemate seems too broad to blame exclusively on one person or party.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the four teams in Sunday's National Football League conference championship games are strangers to a broad viewership, blame it on the networks' lack of clairvoyance.

The New York Times - Sports

Why mess with a winning formula?The upshot is that even if the broad public does blame Republicans for the shutdown, there's little reason to believe that this will force the GOP to do anything about it.

The Economist

"You can't blame Broad for not walking.

BBC

Several people said they were more inclined to blame broader forces in politics — the two parties, for example, or legislative leaders — for Albany's problems.

The New York Times

Nicholas Hytner, the outgoing artistic director of the National Theatre, has hit back at accusations of elitism in the acting profession, saying it is unfair to blame broader problems with social mobility solely on the arts.

The Guardian

But his government is denying broad opposition and blaming the unrest on its favorite villain, George Soros.

Vice

Because we aren't reviewing bad theatre here and when some commentators opine about whether Turnbull's lines will "work", or how funny the whole thing was, what they are really assessing is whether the prime minister can successfully, and in broad daylight, shift the blame for a monumental stuff-up, while apparently proposing solutions that will make it substantially worse in every regard.

The Guardian

However, Manuel Thedim, director of the Institute of Work and Society, said broader problems were to blame for the discrepancies in conditions in London and Rio.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "broad blame", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is being blamed and the scope of the blame. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the message is clearly understood.

Common error

Avoid using "broad blame" as a substitute for specific accountability. Ensure you have identified the general area to blame, don't just use it as an umbrella term that covers nothing concrete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broad blame" functions as a noun phrase where "broad" modifies "blame", indicating that the blame is not directed at a specific individual or entity but rather at a larger group or system. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broad blame" is used to describe a situation where fault or responsibility is attributed to a wide group or system, rather than specific individuals. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct. Although the phrase is not particularly common, it appears in reliable news sources and academic contexts, indicating its validity in formal English. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly defines who or what is being blamed to prevent ambiguity. While useful for highlighting systemic issues, avoid using "broad blame" as a substitute for specific accountability where it's needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blanket accusation

Suggests an undifferentiated charge applied to an entire group.

general accusation

Focuses on the act of accusing a group or entity without specifying individuals.

widespread condemnation

Emphasizes the disapproval and censure from a large number of people, rather than just assigning fault.

shared culpability

Emphasizes that the guilt is shared by multiple parties.

collective responsibility

Highlights that the responsibility is shared among a group.

sweeping indictment

Suggests a formal accusation that covers many aspects or individuals.

diffuse responsibility

Highlights the distributed nature of the responsibility, making it hard to pinpoint.

overall responsibility

Indicates that a general entity is responsible, not focusing on assigning blame.

wide-ranging censure

Emphasizes the strong disapproval from many sources.

extensive criticism

Focuses on the critique rather than assigning direct blame.

FAQs

How can I use "broad blame" in a sentence?

You can use "broad blame" to describe situations where responsibility is attributed to a wide group or system. For example, "There was "broad blame" directed at the government after the economic crisis".

What's a good alternative to "broad blame"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "broad blame" include "widespread condemnation", "general accusation", or "collective responsibility".

Is it better to assign "broad blame" or specific responsibility?

It depends on the situation. Sometimes, assigning "broad blame" is appropriate when systemic issues are at fault. However, identifying specific responsibility often leads to more effective solutions and accountability.

What does it mean to assign "broad blame"?

Assigning "broad blame" means attributing fault or responsibility to a large group or entity rather than to specific individuals. This can be useful for highlighting systemic issues but may not lead to individual accountability.