fault of yours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'fault of yours' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to describe something as being someone's fault. For example, "It was your fault that the project was so late; it's not something that can be blamed on anyone else, it was a fault of yours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Badhwar is here alluding to a case of Railton's in which, through no fault of yours or your friend's, the right action according to consequentialism is to sacrifice your friendship for the greater good.

SEP

Exactly why and how is it any fault of yours that your spouse passed away?

Huffington Post

If you are a parent who feels that your child's first year was not good (probably through no fault of yours – such as if you were depressed), that is not the end of the story.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But if the foundations of any structure are unsound, no matter how strong or unmodified the building on top, there is always a significant risk of safety being undermined through no fault of yours.

BBC

Most pictures will look fine, especially those taken outdoors during the day, though a few will turn out lousy through no fault of yours, just like they did with an instamatic.

Forbes

No fault of yours, but you must submit to the time-consuming agony of calling the insurance company, filling in forms, getting three estimates — all turning out to be more or less the same.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Not the fault of your pals who egged you on, not the promoter's, not the DJ's yours.

Vice

The fact remains that through no fault or doing of yours, you have been thrust into the world of On Your Own and as such, you have likely had to assume much of what might have once been considered "man-stuff" or "her job"... the things that we would just rather not handle, even if we did know how to do so.

Huffington Post

It's not my fault – it's sort of yours'".

The Guardian

"If you get offended by ANYTHING in this post, that's your fault, all yours".

The New York Times - Sports

Now, while the previous example was your fault and yours alone, this one takes two.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fault of yours", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific action or situation for which the person is being held accountable. Avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable, "fault of yours" can sound accusatory in formal settings. Consider using a more neutral alternative like "your responsibility" or "your error" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fault of yours" functions as a possessive noun phrase, indicating that the responsibility or blame for something lies with the person being addressed. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fault of yours" is a grammatically correct possessive phrase used to assign blame or responsibility. While it's valid in various contexts, including news and media, it's essential to consider the tone and formality of the situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is usable and understandable. Alternatives like "your responsibility" or "your mistake" may be more suitable in formal settings. Keep in mind that overusing "fault of yours" in formal contexts could come off as too accusatory. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Academia. While not exceptionally frequent, it is a valid option for assigning blame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

your mistake

A more direct and straightforward way of stating that an error was made by the person being addressed.

your error

Similar to "your mistake" but slightly more formal and often used in professional contexts.

your responsibility

Focuses on the obligation associated with the mistake, shifting from blame to accountability.

your doing

Emphasizes that the action was initiated or caused by the person being addressed.

you're to blame

A more accusatory way of saying someone is responsible for something negative.

your liability

Highlights the legal or financial responsibility associated with the action or outcome.

your oversight

Suggests the problem occurred because of a failure to notice or consider something important.

attributable to you

A formal way of saying something can be traced back to the person's actions.

your negligence

Implies a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances.

the onus is on you

Indicates the burden or responsibility falls on the person being addressed.

FAQs

How can I use "fault of yours" in a sentence?

You can use "fault of yours" to assign blame or responsibility for something. For example, "The delay is the "fault of yours" because you didn't submit the paperwork on time."

What is a less accusatory alternative to "fault of yours"?

Instead of saying "fault of yours", you could use phrases like "your responsibility", "your mistake", or "your oversight", which are less direct and may be more appropriate in professional or sensitive situations.

Which is more formal, "fault of yours" or "your responsibility"?

Your responsibility is generally considered more formal and less accusatory than "fault of yours". Use "your responsibility" in professional settings or when you want to avoid placing blame directly.

Is "fault of yours" appropriate in all contexts?

While grammatically correct, "fault of yours" might be too direct or harsh in certain situations. Consider the context and your relationship with the person you are addressing. In sensitive or formal settings, opt for a milder alternative like "your error" or "your doing".