cannot be blamed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be blamed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing accountability or responsibility in a situation where someone is not at fault. Example: "In this case, the employee cannot be blamed for the error, as they were following the provided guidelines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Securities firms cannot be blamed for everything.

The Economist

Indian bureaucracy cannot be blamed for everything.

The New York Times

Moyes cannot be blamed for this.

Independent

Mismanagement cannot be blamed for all ills.

The New Yorker

Islam cannot be blamed for this.

The Guardian - Books

The show's unorthodox format cannot be blamed.

The New York Times - Arts

Miss Charisse cannot be blamed, however.

The New York Times

Glavine cannot be blamed for the malaise.

The New York Times - Sports

He cannot be blamed for his guarded enthusiasm.

The Economist

"Now Chubais and Gaidar cannot be blamed for anything.

The Economist

Corbyn cannot be blamed for winning a leadership contest.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear what action or situation the subject "cannot be blamed" for. Provide sufficient information to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be blamed" when the subject genuinely had the capacity to influence the outcome. Reserve it for situations where external factors or lack of control truly absolve them of responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be blamed" functions as a predicate in a sentence, specifically as part of a passive construction. It indicates that the subject of the sentence is not responsible for a particular action or outcome. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be blamed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone or something is not responsible for a particular outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, but also in academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure the reason for the lack of responsibility is clear. Alternative phrases like "is not responsible", "is not at fault", or "is not to blame" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase functions as a predicate in passive voice, serving the purpose of absolving the subject of responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not responsible

Focuses on the lack of direct responsibility for an action or outcome.

is not at fault

Emphasizes the absence of culpability or wrongdoing.

is not to blame

Similar to the original phrase, but with a slightly different emphasis on assigning blame.

bears no responsibility

Highlights the complete lack of obligation or accountability.

is exonerated

Implies a formal clearing of blame or guilt.

is cleared of charges

Suggests a legal or official absolution from blame.

cannot be held liable

Focuses on the legal aspect of not being held accountable.

is without guilt

Emphasizes the innocence and lack of culpability.

should not be held accountable

Suggests that holding someone accountable is inappropriate.

is free from any culpability

Highlights that someone has no responsability in the situation.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be blamed" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be blamed" to indicate that someone is not responsible for a particular outcome, often due to circumstances beyond their control. For example, "The team "cannot be blamed" for the loss because of the bad weather conditions".

What can I say instead of "cannot be blamed"?

You can use alternatives like "is not responsible", "is not at fault", or "is not to blame" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be blamed" or "should not be blamed"?

"Cannot be blamed" indicates an objective lack of responsibility, while "should not be blamed" expresses an opinion or judgment about whether blame is appropriate. The choice depends on whether you are stating a fact or expressing an opinion.

What is the difference between "cannot be blamed" and "not responsible"?

"Cannot be blamed" implies that someone might initially seem responsible but is ultimately absolved, whereas "not responsible" is a more direct statement that someone doesn't hold the obligation. They are semantically similar, yet carry subtle contextual differences.