culpable for

USAGE SUMMARY

"culpable for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to be responsible or accountable for something that has happened. Example sentence: She was found to be culpable for the financial mismanagement of company funds.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Hart, however, was in part culpable for the equalizer.

The New York Times - Sports

Investigators have failed to find anyone culpable for killing civilians.

The Economist

He was later culpable for Joselu's 80th minute equaliser.

The Guardian - Sport

Deep down, he should surely feel culpable for his absence.

The Guardian - Sport

Wars are culpable for much of the killing of wildlife in Africa.

The New Yorker

Today, we are both the victims of such shortsighted overreach and culpable for its grim results.

The New York Times

And still not one of those culpable for this global act of vandalism.

Independent

No, Coolidge was not single-handedly culpable for the economic calamity of the 1930s.

The New York Times - Books

I am morally culpable for the corporation's decision that I am excess to requirements.

The New York Times

Hippolytus considered both men culpable for being unwilling to enter the theological debate on the Trinity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If there is one person most culpable for this shattered landscape, it is Bashar al-Assad.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Remember that "culpable" often implies a degree of moral or legal fault, so use it when you want to emphasize that aspect of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "culpable for" without providing clear evidence or reasoning. Unsubstantiated claims of culpability can be defamatory or misleading. Always base your assertion on facts and logical connections.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "culpable for" is as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate responsibility or blameworthiness for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used to assign blame.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Sport

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "culpable for" is a commonly used phrase that signifies responsibility and often blame for a particular action or event. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent use in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. While similar to phrases like "responsible for", it carries a stronger implication of moral or legal fault. When employing this phrase, ensure clear evidence supports the attribution of culpability to avoid unsubstantiated claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Responsible for

This alternative directly replaces "culpable" with "responsible", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

Accountable for

This alternative suggests a formal obligation to answer for actions, emphasizing a sense of duty or requirement.

Liable for

This alternative often implies legal or financial responsibility, adding a specific dimension of obligation.

To blame for

This alternative is a more direct and common way to assign fault or responsibility for a negative outcome.

Guilty of

This alternative suggests that someone has committed an offense or wrongdoing, indicating a more severe level of culpability.

At fault for

This alternative is a straightforward way to indicate that someone is responsible for an error or mistake.

Answerable for

This alternative highlights the obligation to provide an explanation or justification for actions or decisions.

Reprehensible for

This alternative emphasizes that actions are deserving of condemnation or disapproval, adding a moral dimension.

Implicated in

This alternative suggests involvement in a negative situation or event, without necessarily assigning full blame.

Censurable for

This alternative indicates that someone's actions are worthy of strong criticism or condemnation, highlighting the severity of the fault.

FAQs

What does "culpable for" mean?

The phrase "culpable for" means to be responsible or blameworthy for something, often implying moral or legal fault. It indicates that someone or something is deserving of censure or punishment for an action or outcome.

How can I use "culpable for" in a sentence?

You can use "culpable for" in a sentence to indicate who or what is responsible for a negative action or outcome. For example: "The driver was found "responsible for" the accident", or "The corporation was deemed "liable for" the pollution."

What are some alternatives to "culpable for"?

Some alternatives to "culpable for" include "responsible for", "accountable for", "liable for", "to blame for", or "guilty of" depending on the specific context.

Is "culpable for" interchangeable with "responsible for"?

While "culpable for" and "responsible for" are similar, "culpable for" often implies a higher degree of moral or legal fault. "Responsible for" can simply mean being the cause of something, whereas "culpable for" suggests blameworthiness.