culprit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "culprit" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun meaning a person or thing responsible for a particular crime or fault. For example: The police have apprehended the culprit who was responsible for the string of robberies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If someone poops on the floor at work, can your boss test your DNA to see if you're the culprit?

The Guardian - Opinion

As a recent paper published in the journal Nature showed, the Pacific Ocean in particular appears to be the key component of the climate's natural internal variability, and the main culprit behind the slowed global surface warming over the past 15 years.

The Guardian

Indigenous Australians between the ages of 35 and 54 are up to eight times more likely to die than their peers, with alcohol abuse the main culprit, South Australian research has shown.

The Guardian

She married Alfonso of Aragon next, but he was brutally murdered in 1500 – and, as the film suggests, some believed Cesare to be the culprit.

The Guardian - Film

The principal culprit was protected by countless blind eyes, and by an on-screen culture which tittered indulgently at lechery, as if it were only natural for red-blooded males.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many villains have been blamed for Mumbai's descent into urban hell, from mafia dons to impoverished migrants, but for the past three decades the main culprit is the "politician-builder nexus".

The Guardian

For this humbling disaster, the finger pointed at that same culprit: the developer and his facilitator, the politician.

The Guardian

Lagarde went on to say, in effect, that optimistic speeches by Greek ministers – and finance chief Yanis Varoufakis is a culprit in this instance – are so much hot air.

The Guardian

On the telegraph wire was culprit and performer, another bird I hadn't seen in 50 years.

The Guardian

Pollution is the culprit, not cyclones which are part of the natural dynamic of the Reef.

The Guardian

The group looked at work done on prehistoric climate and temperatures, changes in sea levels, volcanic activity and biodiversity, before reaching a consensus that the asteroid was the prime culprit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "culprit", ensure the context clearly identifies what problem or wrongdoing the person or thing is responsible for. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "culprit" without sufficient evidence or investigation. Prematurely labeling someone or something as the "culprit" can lead to unfair accusations and damage reputations. Gather all facts before assigning blame.

Linguistic Context

The word "culprit" functions as a noun, typically identifying the person or thing responsible for a crime, problem, or fault. Ludwig AI confirms the word's correct usage, providing numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "culprit" is used to identify the person or thing responsible for a fault or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. As demonstrated by the examples provided, "culprit" appears most frequently in news and media, formal business, and scientific contexts. While grammatically straightforward, it's important to use "culprit" accurately and avoid premature accusations. Alternative phrases include "guilty party", "offender", and ""cause"". When writing, ensure that the context clearly identifies what the "culprit" is responsible for and that you have sufficient evidence before assigning blame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the guilty party

Focuses specifically on the person or group responsible, implying legal or moral wrongdoing.

the offender

Highlights the act of breaking a rule or law, suitable in legal or formal contexts.

the wrongdoer

Emphasizes the moral aspect of the action, suggesting someone who has done something unethical.

the perpetrator

Commonly used in criminal contexts to denote the individual who committed the act.

the cause

Shifts the focus to the origin of a problem, whether intentional or unintentional.

the source

Similar to "the cause", this term indicates where something originates, often a problem or issue.

the reason

Focuses on explaining why something happened, pointing to the responsible factor.

the agent

Highlights the entity that produces an effect or result.

the origin

Indicates the initial point or root from which something derives or begins.

the instigator

Emphasizes someone who initiates or provokes an event or action.

FAQs

How to use "culprit" in a sentence?

You can use "culprit" to identify the person or thing responsible for a problem. For example, "The main "cause" of the accident was determined to be a faulty brake system, making it the "culprit"."

What can I say instead of "culprit"?

You can use alternatives like "guilty party", "offender", or "perpetrator" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "culprit" or "suspect"?

"Suspect" refers to someone who is believed to have possibly committed a crime, whereas "culprit" refers to the person who is actually responsible after investigation. The "culprit" is only known after guilt is established.

What's the difference between "culprit" and "cause"?

"Cause" refers to the reason why something happened, while "culprit" refers to the person or thing directly responsible for the negative outcome. The "culprit" is often the "cause", but not always.