cannot be faulted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “cannot be faulted for” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone or something did the best they could and cannot be held responsible for any mistakes. For example, “The project manager cannot be faulted for the team's failure to deliver the product on time.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The film cannot be faulted for realism.

The Economist

They cannot be faulted for their efforts.

The Guardian

THEY certainly cannot be faulted for a lack of ambition.

The Economist

PEDRO PASSOS COELHO, Portugal's prime minister-elect, cannot be faulted for a lack of ambition.

The Economist

"The bank cannot be faulted for trusting him," Ms. Wass said.

The New York Times

BATTLEWORKS DANCE COMPANY Robert Battle's five-year-old troupe cannot be faulted for lack of effort.

The New Yorker

Mr. Sorkin cannot be faulted for lamenting the declining standards of television news.

The New York Times - Arts

As a trade union, the society cannot be faulted for representing its members.

The Economist

— Gov. Rick Perry of Texas cannot be faulted for lack of optimism.

The New York Times

Paris cannot be faulted for lack of imagination or effort in trying to combat public urination.

The New York Times

Governor Bush cannot be faulted for using demagogue as a verb.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be faulted for" to acknowledge effort or circumstances that mitigate responsibility for an unfavorable outcome. It's particularly effective when you want to avoid assigning blame while still acknowledging a less-than-ideal result.

Common error

While "cannot be faulted for" is useful, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, vary your language with alternatives like "not to blame for" or "deserves no blame for."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be faulted for" functions as an evaluative expression, indicating that someone or something should not be blamed or criticized for a particular outcome or action. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to defend against potential criticism by highlighting mitigating circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

22%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be faulted for" is a versatile expression used to indicate that blame or criticism is unwarranted, often due to mitigating circumstances or reasonable effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic contexts, this phrase serves to offer justification or absolution, tempering potential criticism. While effective, avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "cannot be blamed for" to maintain writing impact. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its acceptability and utility in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be blamed for

Indicates that someone is not responsible for a negative outcome or action; emphasizes lack of culpability.

cannot be criticized for

Suggests that criticism is unwarranted due to circumstances or effort; highlights the absence of grounds for reproach.

cannot be reproached for

Similar to "cannot be criticized for", but carries a slightly stronger connotation of formal disapproval.

cannot be held responsible for

Focuses on the absence of legal or moral accountability.

cannot be penalized for

Emphasizes the lack of justification for punishment or negative consequences.

is not to blame for

Highlights the absence of fault or responsibility.

is not at fault for

Directly asserts innocence or lack of culpability.

deserves no blame for

Emphasizes that someone's actions merit exculpation.

bears no responsibility for

Indicates that someone is not responsible for the outcome.

is exempt from criticism for

Suggests an exceptional circumstance that justifies excusing someone from critique.

FAQs

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

Use "cannot be faulted for" to express that someone or something should not be blamed for a specific outcome, often because they made a reasonable effort or faced difficult circumstances. For example: "The team "cannot be faulted for" the loss, given the injuries they sustained."

What can I say instead of "cannot be faulted for"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot be blamed for", "cannot be criticized for", or "is not to blame for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cannot be faulted for" or "can't be faulted for"?

Both "cannot be faulted for" and "can't be faulted for" are grammatically correct. The contracted form, "can't", is more informal, while "cannot" is more formal. The choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "cannot be faulted for" and "cannot be held responsible for"?

"Cannot be faulted for" suggests that someone did their best or faced extenuating circumstances, making blame inappropriate. "Cannot be held responsible for" indicates a lack of legal or moral accountability, regardless of effort.