criticize for

USAGE SUMMARY

"criticize for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express criticism of someone or something for a certain action or behaviour. For example: "The teacher criticized the student for plagiarizing from another source."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

And be realistic – the internet is full of instant critics and "trolls", people who criticize for sport, for the sake of winding you up and to get their daily dose of attention-seeking or venting.

WikiHow

The fusion community might be easy to criticize for its many unmet milestones, but for decades the United States has never come close to even the moderate effort.

The New Yorker

I wonder if, 50 years from now, the same scientists we criticize for their genetic research will be writing our textbooks and teaching our children.

The New York Times

And it made him an appealing counterpoint to a key rival, Quinn, who many voters still criticize for supporting the repeal of term limits so that Mayor Michael Bloomberg, her ally, could run for a third term, in 2008.

The New Yorker

She mentioned Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot by extremists for attending school and became the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, whom some Pakistanis criticize for exposing the country's worst qualities to foreigners.

The New Yorker

Above all, the strike underscored the challenges facing Mr. Zapatero, whom Spaniards increasingly criticize for having failed to respond quickly, decisively or convincingly to the economic crisis, and who now struggles to satisfy workers who see the labor reforms as excessive and investors who see them as weak.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

was criticized for legally improper intervention.

The New Yorker

He was roundly criticized for not returning.

The New York Times - Sports

We get criticized for having flavor".

The New York Times - Food

Later they were criticized for this.

The New Yorker

He was widely criticized for both actions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with concrete evidence or context to ensure the critique is informative and objective in professional writing.

Common error

A frequent mistake is using 'criticize of' or 'criticize about'. In standard English, "criticize for" is the correct construction to indicate the reason behind the disapproval.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criticize for" functions as a transitive verb followed by a prepositional phrase. In this structure, the verb 'criticize' takes a direct object (the person or entity being judged) and the preposition 'for' introduces the specific reason or action being targeted. Ludwig AI confirms this is a standard idiomatic construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "criticize for" is an essential and grammatically correct phrase in the English language used to link a judgment to a specific cause. Ludwig data shows that it is a high-frequency term especially within News & Media and professional writing. It functions as a precise tool for accountability, allowing writers to specify the exact reason for their disapproval. To maintain a high writing standard, it is important to avoid common prepositional errors such as 'criticize of' and instead rely on this standard 'verb + for' structure. Whether in a formal report or a journalistic piece, using "criticize for" ensures your feedback is directed and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blame for

Suggests direct responsibility for a negative outcome or mistake.

fault for

Focuses on identifying an error or shortcoming in someone's judgment.

denounce for

Indicates public or formal condemnation of a person or policy.

take to task for

An idiomatic expression meaning to call someone out for their behavior.

condemn for

Carries a much stronger sense of moral or formal disapproval.

reprimand for

Typically used in professional or official contexts for formal rebukes.

reproach for

Implies a sense of disappointment or a mild personal rebuke.

censure for

A very formal term often used in legislative or institutional contexts.

chastise for

Suggests a more severe or formal scolding or punishment.

slam for

Informal and journalistic term for intense and harsh criticism.

FAQs

How do I use "criticize for" in a sentence?

You can use "criticize for" by identifying the subject, the target and the reason. For example: "The board of directors decided to "criticize the CEO for" the decline in quarterly profits."

What can I say instead of "criticize for"?

Depending on your context, you might use "blame for", "fault for" or even "denounce for" if the situation is more serious.

Is "criticize for" or "criticize of" correct?

"criticize for" is the correct grammatical form. Saying 'criticize of' is considered a mistake in English as the verb 'criticize' does not take 'of' to introduce the reason for the critique.

Can I use "criticize for" in formal writing?

Yes, "criticize for" is perfectly acceptable and frequently used in formal contexts such as academic papers, news reports and business evaluations as seen in examples from Ludwig.