essentially to blame for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essentially to blame for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when attributing responsibility or fault to someone or something in a general or overarching sense. Example: "While there were many factors involved, he was essentially to blame for the project's failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The egotism of two people is essentially to blame for the current stalemate," Giorgos Kassimatis, a professor of constitutional law at Athens University, told Skai television.

The New York Times

Romney said Santorum is essentially to blame for the passage of "Obamacare," the president's health care reform law, because he supported Specter.

Huffington Post

They were, after all, crucial to the decision he was preparing to announce: that Robinson was essentially to blame for his own death.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It's a reimagining of economic insecurity as something that can be easily overcome and, thus, by extension, as something for which those who experience it are essentially to blame.

Huffington Post

To focus on ways in which LGBT people might individually deflect or avoid attacks is essentially to blame the victims.

Huffington Post

What a success!" Four of the eleven candidates competing for the French Presidency — three on the far left, and one, Jean-Marie Le Pen, on the far right — told the local press that the United States essentially had itself to blame for the attacks.

The New Yorker

A post on the pop singer Rihanna's Instagram page referred to Smith's partying appetite, alleging essentially that late nights were to blame for his struggles.

The New York Times - Sports

The case essentially turns on which side is to blame for the demise of Rosie, which published its last issue in December 2002, a little more than two years after Gruner & Jahr teamed up with Ms. O'Donnell to remake the flagging McCall's magazine into something more modern.

The New York Times

Although the feds have taken up the cases of a number of jaded workers, others have essentially been told they have no one to blame for their workplace troubles but themselves.

Huffington Post

"I'm definitely to blame for that.

The New Yorker

Drug violence is to blame for narcocorridos".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "primarily responsible for" or "mostly at fault for" if you want to soften the tone or specify the nature of the responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "essentially to blame for" in situations where the blame is shared or unclear. Overusing 'essentially' can weaken your argument and make it seem like you're oversimplifying a complex situation. Be precise in assigning responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essentially to blame for" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate who or what bears the primary responsibility for something. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in assigning fault in various contexts, such as political stalemates or project failures.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essentially to blame for" is a phrase used to assign primary responsibility for a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While synonyms like "primarily responsible for" or "largely accountable for" offer nuanced alternatives, the key is to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring it accurately reflects the degree of responsibility. Understanding its function, purpose, and potential for overuse is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily responsible for

Shifts focus to responsibility rather than explicit blame.

largely accountable for

Emphasizes accountability more than blame.

mostly at fault for

Focuses on the aspect of fault or error.

chiefly responsible for

Highlights the primary agent of responsibility.

mainly liable for

Introduces a legal or formal sense of responsibility.

substantially to blame for

Emphasizes the significant degree of blame.

significantly responsible for

Highlights the notable impact of the responsibility.

majorly to blame for

A more informal way to express significant blame.

the principal cause of

Shifts the focus from blame to causation.

the main reason for

Focuses on the primary reason behind an event.

FAQs

How can I use "essentially to blame for" in a sentence?

Use "essentially to blame for" to indicate that someone or something bears the main responsibility for a particular outcome. For example, "The company's management was essentially to blame for the project's failure due to poor planning and resource allocation."

What are some alternatives to "essentially to blame for"?

Alternatives include "primarily responsible for", "largely accountable for", or "mostly at fault for". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired nuance in assigning responsibility.

When is it appropriate to use "essentially to blame for"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that a person or entity holds the major share of responsibility, even if other factors contributed. It implies a significant, though potentially not exclusive, level of fault.

Is "essentially to blame for" too strong of a phrase?

It can be strong, depending on the context. If the situation involves shared responsibility or mitigating circumstances, consider using a less accusatory phrase. If one party is clearly the primary cause, "essentially to blame for" is appropriate.