cannot be criticised for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be criticised for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or decisions that are defensible or justifiable, indicating that someone should not be blamed for something. Example: "The manager cannot be criticised for the team's poor performance, as they provided all necessary resources and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He cannot be criticised for that.

The Guardian

If so, they cannot be criticised for their handling of the struggle.

The Telegraph

However, the BBC cannot be criticised for failing to uncover Savile's "sexual deviancy", it says.

The Guardian

If his promises are vague to the point of opacity, Trump cannot be criticised for breaking them.

The Guardian - Opinion

In terms of what the Millennium Stadium offers, however, the FA cannot be criticised for choosing it as a temporary alternative.

The Guardian - Sport

But the BBC cannot be criticised for failing to uncover Savile's "sexual deviancy", it said, given the failure of law enforcement agencies to do the same thing.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

[He] cannot be criticised in any way, for what he has done since he has been here".

Independent

Managers cannot be criticised on ethical grounds for aiming to increase long-term owner-value: that is their job.

The Economist

Women cannot be criticised.

The Guardian - Books

Greg Docherty cannot really be criticised for taking a decade to score his first senior Hamilton Accies goal - because he is only 18 years old.

BBC

"You cannot take all praise when you win and you can't be criticised for everything when you lose.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be criticised for" to defend justifiable actions or decisions, ensuring clarity and avoiding unnecessary blame.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be criticised for" when there are legitimate grounds for critique; ensure the action or decision is truly defensible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be criticised for" functions as an evaluative expression, used to defend an action or decision against potential negative judgment. Ludwig examples show this in contexts ranging from sports to politics, indicating justified choices.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be criticised for" is a versatile expression used to defend actions or decisions against potential negative judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees common usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure the action or decision is genuinely justifiable to avoid misapplication. Alternatives like "cannot be blamed for" or "cannot be faulted for" can provide nuanced ways to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be blamed for

Replaces "criticised" with "blamed", focusing on culpability.

cannot be faulted for

Substitutes "criticised" with "faulted", suggesting an absence of error.

cannot be held responsible for

Emphasizes the lack of accountability rather than criticism.

is not to be criticised for

Uses a more formal tone while maintaining the core meaning.

should not be criticised for

Emphasizes the lack of justification for criticism.

is immune to criticism for

Highlights the invulnerability to critique.

deserves no criticism for

Focuses on the lack of merit for criticism.

is beyond reproach for

Suggests that the action is so justified that it shouldn't even be questioned.

is not open to criticism for

Implies that criticism is unwarranted or not permissible.

is exempt from criticism for

Indicates a special circumstance that excuses the action from critique.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be criticised for" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be criticised for" to indicate that someone's actions or decisions were justifiable or excusable under certain circumstances. For instance, "The coach "cannot be criticised for" the loss, given the team's injuries".

What's a more formal alternative to "cannot be criticised for"?

A more formal alternative is "should not be subject to criticism for". For instance, "The company "should not be subject to criticism for" its cost-saving measures, given the economic downturn".

Is there a difference between "cannot be criticised for" and "should not be criticised for"?

While similar, "cannot be criticised for" implies a stronger sense of justification, suggesting criticism is entirely unwarranted. "Should not be criticised for" implies a lesser degree, suggesting criticism may be technically possible but unfair. Both highlight that criticism is inappropriate.

What can I say instead of "cannot be criticised for" to emphasize lack of responsibility?

You can use phrases like "cannot be held responsible for" or "cannot be blamed for" to emphasize a lack of accountability. For example, "The volunteers "cannot be held responsible for" the project's delays due to unforeseen circumstances".