culpability

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "culpability" is correct and is usable in written English.
It means the quality or condition of being responsible for a mistake or wrong-doing. For example, "The evidence clearly showed the defendant's culpability in the crime".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When you stop thinking in terms or "I" and start thinking "we" things can change dramatically.Is that because people feel less culpable if the culpability is spread?There is a diffusion of responsibility, yes.

The Economist

Allin's culpability follows a more obvious sequence of cause and effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

So, for all the breast-beating in the pastoral letter, there is no acknowledgment of Benedict's own culpability.

The Guardian

Harm done and personal culpability are the watchwords followed by looking carefully at any mitigation.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is time the US as well as the Sri Lankan government's acknowledge the culpability of its respective militaries, the "securing of peace" notwithstanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

Magistrates must distinguish the professional criminal from the easily led and every shade of culpability in between – and make the punishment fit the criminal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Michael Kirby, the chair of the report, personally wrote to Kim Jong-un to warn him that he could face trial at The Hague for his personal culpability in crimes against humanity.

The Guardian

British culpability in Mr Belhadj's case is far less clear.

The Economist

Then there is the question of the fine per barrel, which depends on an assessment of the company's culpability: it could be up to $4,300, giving a total of around $15 billion, on which there would be no tax relief.BP intends to use its second-quarter figures, due on July 27th, to provide its own assessment of its liabilities, and to show that it can meet them.

The Economist

He stresses the culpability of the Rwandan politicians who, to crush a Tutsi-led insurrection, imported tens of thousands of machetes and orchestrated the mass murder of Tutsis.

The Economist

Besides looking into the question of culpability for the fire, Senator Danforth has said that he intends to "answer the dark questions" about all the other aspects of the tragedy at Waco.Conspiracy theorists are likely to be disappointed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical breaches, use "culpability" to precisely indicate the degree of blameworthiness, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in attributing responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "culpability" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "blame" or "responsibility" unless you specifically need to emphasize the degree of fault in a formal or legal context.

Linguistic Context

The noun "culpability" functions primarily to denote the degree to which someone is deserving of blame or is responsible for a wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate and frequent use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "culpability" is a noun used to describe the degree of blameworthiness for an offense. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper grammatical usage. It appears most frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a formal register. When using "culpability", consider alternatives like "responsibility" or "blameworthiness" depending on the specific nuance desired. It is crucial to reserve this term for contexts where precision in attributing blame is necessary, as overuse in informal settings can sound unnatural. Remember to assess the extent of "culpability" in legal or ethical discussions to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extent of blameworthiness

Directly addresses how much blame is deserved.

level of responsibility

Emphasizes the burden or obligation associated with the action.

measure of guilt

Highlights the moral or legal wrongdoing involved.

degree of fault

Focuses on the extent of the error or failing rather than the responsibility.

moral responsibility

Highlights the ethical aspect of being responsible for an action.

liability

This term implies a legal or financial responsibility.

accountability

Focuses on being answerable for one's actions, but not always negative.

criminality

Implies involvement in illegal activities.

delinquency

Often refers to minor offenses or failures.

implication

Highlights the involvement or connection to a wrongdoing.

FAQs

How is "culpability" used in a sentence?

"Culpability" is typically used to describe the degree to which someone is responsible for wrongdoing. For example, "The investigation aimed to determine the extent of the company's "culpability" in the environmental damage".

What is an alternative to using the word "culpability"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "responsibility", "blameworthiness", or "guilt". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "culpability" and "responsibility"?

"Responsibility" generally refers to being accountable for something, whereas "culpability" specifically implies blameworthiness for a wrongdoing. You can have "responsibility" without "culpability", but "culpability" always implies some level of "responsibility".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "culpability"?

"Culpability" is most appropriate in legal, ethical, or formal discussions where precisely determining the degree of blame is important. It's commonly used in contexts like criminal investigations, corporate governance, and academic analyses of moral failings.