directly to blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directly to blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when attributing responsibility for a particular issue or problem to someone or something without any ambiguity. Example: "In this situation, the manager is directly to blame for the team's lack of direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

In Syria, we are complicit even if not directly to blame.

The New Yorker

No one is directly to blame, and yet blame hangs over everything like a fog.

The Guardian - Film

There are plenty of areas, for example missing CO2 emissions reduction targets, where the council is directly to blame.

The Guardian

In addition to the design flaws, Samsung and outside experts said manufacturing problems were often directly to blame.

The New York Times

Mick Rix, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers' union "Railtrack's greed and negligence are directly to blame for the loss of 31 lives".

The Guardian

Their senior officials evidently were penalized because the disaster fell under their jurisdiction, even if they were not directly to blame.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Although the protestors blame the government for poorly handling both inspections and permit granting, Ponta insists that he alone, not the less powerful officials in whose jurisdiction those things directly belong, is to blame.

Vice

But there have been precious few stories of companies, and especially those that sell directly to consumers, blaming factory closures or office relocations on the UK's decision to leave the European Union.

The Guardian - Opinion

No one was prepared to blame Tsiskaridze directly for arranging the attack on Filin.

The New Yorker

Many, especially those who might be identified, painstakingly tried not to blame Pakistan directly.

The New York Times

So far, the poll shows Americans aren't rushing to blame Obama directly.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "solely responsible" or "fully accountable" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "directly to blame" when the subject only contributed partially to the problem. Use phrases like "contributed to" or "played a role in" instead to accurately reflect the level of responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directly to blame" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate responsibility. It assigns clear and unambiguous culpability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "directly to blame" is a common and grammatically sound way to assign clear responsibility for a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although it carries a neutral tone that might be perceived as accusatory in formal settings. When using this phrase, it's important to have solid evidence to support the claim, and consider using synonyms like "solely responsible" or "fully accountable" for a more professional tone. Remember to avoid overstating the level of responsibility, and choose alternative phrases when the subject's contribution was only partial. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely responsible

Indicates complete responsibility without sharing it with others.

fully accountable

Highlights the obligation to answer for the consequences.

primarily at fault

Suggests the main reason for the problem lies with the subject.

chiefly responsible

Emphasizes that the subject's role was the most significant.

largely to blame

Implies a major portion of the responsibility.

mainly responsible

Similar to 'chiefly responsible' but slightly less emphatic.

held accountable

Focuses on the act of assigning blame and expecting consequences.

culpable party

A more formal and legalistic way to describe the responsible entity.

major contributor

Suggests that the subject significantly caused or influenced the negative outcome.

proximate cause

A legal term indicating the direct cause of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "directly to blame" in a sentence?

You can use "directly to blame" to clearly assign responsibility for a negative outcome, such as "The company's poor performance is "directly to blame" on the CEO's mismanagement".

What are some alternatives to saying "directly to blame"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "solely responsible", "primarily at fault", or "chiefly responsible".

Is it correct to say "directly to blame"?

Yes, the phrase "directly to blame" is grammatically correct and commonly used to indicate that someone or something is the clear cause of a problem.

What's the difference between "directly to blame" and "indirectly to blame"?

"Directly to blame" means the subject is the main cause of the problem, while "indirectly to blame" suggests the subject's actions contributed to the problem but were not the primary cause.