fault lies with

USAGE SUMMARY

"fault lies with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express who is responsible for an issue or an action. For example: The fault lies with the marketing team for not properly launching the new product.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The fault lies with us.

The New York Times

The fault lies with its predecessors.

The New York Times

The fault lies with the manufacturer.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The fault lies with Muslims too.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The fault lies with the teaching, not the book.

The Guardian - Books

The fault lies with both the government and the opposition.

The Guardian

"We are crying together now; the fault lies with happiness".

The Guardian - Books

Indeed, much of the fault lies with Congress.

The New York Times

Or whether the fault lies with Malakhov himself?

The New York Times - Sports

On this view, the fault lies with the courts.

The New Yorker

On the confirmation side, the fault lies with the Senate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fault lies with", ensure you clearly identify who or what is responsible to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The fault lies with the manager for not providing adequate training."

Common error

Avoid using "fault lies with" without sufficient evidence or understanding of the situation. Ensure your assessment is based on facts and not assumptions, or you risk unfairly blaming someone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fault lies with" serves as a declarative expression identifying the entity or individual responsible for a mistake, error, or undesirable outcome. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fault lies with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to assign blame or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness for use in written English. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it serves the function of clearly indicating who or what is accountable for an issue. While effective, it's essential to use the phrase judiciously and with factual backing to avoid misattribution. Alternatives like "responsibility rests on" or "culpability rests with" can offer a nuanced approach depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

culpability rests with

Focuses more strongly on the concept of guilt and blameworthiness.

they are to blame

Directly accuses someone of being responsible for an error.

responsibility rests on

Emphasizes the burden of responsibility rather than blame.

it's their fault

An even more direct expression of blame.

the onus is on

Highlights the duty or obligation to address a problem.

the blame is on

A more direct and potentially accusatory way of assigning blame.

the responsibility is theirs

Shifts the responsibility to a group of people rather than specifically saying their fault.

liability falls upon

Implies a legal or contractual obligation for something gone wrong.

the problem originates with

Focuses on the origin of the problem rather than explicitly assigning blame.

the source of the error is

Identifies the starting point of a mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "fault lies with" in a sentence?

Use "fault lies with" to assign blame or responsibility for something that went wrong. For example, "The fault lies with the manufacturer for the defective product."

What are some alternatives to saying "fault lies with"?

You can use alternatives like "responsibility rests on", "culpability rests with", or "the blame is on" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "fault lies with" or "responsibility lies with"?

"Fault lies with" implies blame, whereas "responsibility lies with" simply assigns accountability. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nuance you intend to convey.

Is "fault lies with" too accusatory?

While "fault lies with" can be direct, it is not inherently accusatory. The perceived tone depends on the context and how it is used. Consider softening the statement if assigning blame is not your primary intention.