culprit of this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "culprit of this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when identifying the person or thing responsible for a particular issue or problem. Example: "After investigating the matter, we found that the culprit of this delay was a miscommunication between departments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Levels of various metals in the rock samples were critical in identifying the culprit of this mass extinction event.

The Guardian

4pm: "I was the victim rather than the culprit of this dastardly deed, but since it still rankles more than 20 years later I need to get it off my chest," writes Ben Mimmack, on the subject of cheating.

The Guardian - Sport

So, we're trying to nail this and to make sure we investigate the star deeply enough to make sure this activity that all stars have is not the culprit of this signal that we see.

Nature

That day I realized I was the biggest culprit of this activity.

Forbes

Soybeans, about to face a steep tariff in their major export destination of China have been much in the news as a major culprit of this export surge.

Forbes

Within four months, as BP shares halved and talk swirled about it seeking bankruptcy protection, the ax fell on Hayward, the only public culprit of this mess.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Thus, our findings suggest that flagellin might represent an important culprit of these changes in this setting.

Critical Care

Which is why I get so frustrated by the silos that are erected around musical genres: especially classical, where often the worst culprits of this depressing isolationism come from within the industry itself.

Independent

Gerrard and Rooney are the main culprits of this.

BBC

"The biggest culprits of this, really, are the younger demographic who just haven't been convinced that doing this is somehow morally uncomfortable.

BBC

The ministers, meeting in Cairo, said the world should "take the deterrent and necessary measures against the culprits of this crime that the Syrian regime bears responsibility for".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "culprit of this", ensure the context clearly establishes what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. Directly stating the problem before identifying the culprit enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "culprit of this" can sound accusatory or informal in some professional settings. Opt for more neutral phrases like "cause of this" or "reason for this" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "culprit of this" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the person, thing, or factor responsible for a specific problem or situation. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically correct and is used to pinpoint the cause of an issue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "culprit of this" is used to identify the entity responsible for a specific problem. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone, although it can sometimes imply blame. While generally acceptable, writers should consider the context and audience, opting for more neutral alternatives like "cause of this" in formal settings. Using "culprit of this" effectively involves ensuring clarity in the context of "this" and being mindful of the potential negative connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cause of this

Focuses on the reason or origin of the situation, rather than placing blame.

Reason for this

Similar to "cause", emphasizing the explanation behind the event.

The reason behind this

Emphasizes explanation while slightly distancing from direct blame.

Source of this

Highlights the origin from which the issue or problem stems.

Responsible for this

Directly assigns accountability without necessarily implying malicious intent.

What led to this

Focuses on the sequence of events culminating in the current situation.

At fault for this

Indicates negligence or error leading to the problem.

To blame for this

Implies responsibility and often carries a negative connotation.

The agent of this

Highlights active involvement in bringing about the situation.

Author of this

Implies creation or origination, which may or may not be negative.

FAQs

How can I use "culprit of this" in a sentence?

Use "culprit of this" to identify the cause of a problem or undesirable situation. For example, "After reviewing the data, we identified the main "culprit of this" decline in sales."

What is a less accusatory alternative to "culprit of this"?

Alternatives like "cause of this", "reason for this", or "responsible for this" can be used to identify the source of an issue without placing direct blame.

Is "culprit of this" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "culprit of this" might be perceived as too informal or accusatory in certain formal contexts. Consider using more neutral terms like "cause of this" or "factor in this" depending on the specific situation.

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

"Culprit of this" often implies blame or responsibility for a negative outcome, whereas "cause of this" simply identifies the origin or reason behind something without necessarily assigning fault.