he is culpable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is culpable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is responsible for a wrongdoing or has committed an offense. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that he is culpable in the matter of the missing funds."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The phone-hacking scandal is one Murdoch cannot escape, because he is culpable.

The New Yorker

He is culpable, however, for this dull grey squall of blustery electro and drizzly UK garage.

The Guardian - Music

He criticizes America because, as an American, he feels that he is culpable for its bad actions, and is in a position to affect them.

The New Yorker

She is a bit ambivalent about Mr. Blanton's trial, pleased that he is finally being prosecuted but undecided whether he is culpable and dreading the revived memories.

The New York Times

Rather incomprehensibly, given that the film strongly implies he is culpable in the murders of three people — and even a dog — Durst told Jarecki it had moved him to tears.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Here he was culpable.

The Guardian - Sport

"Whatever complications there were, I never thought he was culpable".

The New York Times

At worst, he was culpable in a deeper way".

The New York Times

The Tunisian repeatedly denied that he was culpable, saying he was just a regular passenger on the ship.

The Guardian

Ronald, by then 76 years old and showing it, was about the only American who did not think he was culpable.

The Guardian

Pinter's brilliant 1993 production restored the moral equilibrium by implying that the professor was physically attracted to his student: in his heart, at least, he was culpable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is culpable" when you want to clearly state that someone is responsible for a specific wrongdoing or failure, especially when assigning blame is important.

Common error

Be careful not to use "he is culpable" when simply indicating someone is in charge or accountable without any implication of wrongdoing. Use "he is responsible" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is culpable" functions as a statement asserting someone's responsibility for a wrongdoing or error. It is used to assign blame or fault, as seen in Ludwig's examples where individuals are deemed culpable in scandals or for specific actions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is culpable" is a grammatically sound and usable expression signifying that someone is responsible for a fault or wrongdoing. Ludwig highlights its presence in news and media sources, denoting a formal register suitable for scenarios that require assigning blame directly. While "he is culpable" is not exceedingly common, its clear implication of responsibility makes it useful when the goal is to underscore accountability for specific actions. Alternative phrases like "he is guilty" or "he is responsible" can be employed, considering the nuance needed in certain contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness, reinforcing its reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is guilty

Focuses specifically on legal culpability or guilt.

he is responsible

Indicates a broader sense of accountability, not necessarily implying wrongdoing.

he is at fault

Suggests that his actions led to a negative outcome.

he is to blame

Directly assigns responsibility for an undesirable event.

he is accountable

Highlights the expectation that he will answer for his actions.

he is liable

Implies a legal or financial obligation due to his actions.

he is blameworthy

Emphasizes the moral dimension of his responsibility.

he is in the wrong

Indicates a deviation from acceptable behavior or standards.

he bears responsibility

Highlights the weight or burden of accountability.

he is the cause

Identifies him as the origin or source of a problem or event.

FAQs

What does "he is culpable" mean?

The phrase "he is culpable" means that someone is blameworthy and deserving of censure or condemnation for having done something wrong. It implies responsibility for a fault or offense.

What can I say instead of "he is culpable"?

You can use alternatives like "he is guilty", "he is responsible", or "he is to blame" depending on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "he is culpable" formal or informal?

"He is culpable" is relatively formal. In more informal settings, you might prefer "he is to blame" or "he is responsible".

How do I use "he is culpable" in a sentence?

Use "he is culpable" to express direct responsibility for a wrongdoing or failure. For example, "After the investigation, it was determined that he is culpable for the data breach."