his fault

USAGE SUMMARY

"his fault" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you are referring to something that is the responsibility of the person being referred to. For example, "It was his fault for not following the instructions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His fault.

The New York Times

"What was his fault?

The New York Times

"It was his fault.

The New York Times

That wasn't his fault.

The New York Times

That's his fault.

The New York Times

It is his fault.

The New York Times

It's his fault.

The New Yorker

Not his fault.

The New York Times

It wasn't his fault.

The New York Times

"It is not his fault.

Independent

It's not all his fault.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning blame, ensure you have sufficient evidence and consider the context to avoid unfair accusations. For example, instead of saying "It's his fault the project failed", consider "While he made some errors, other factors also contributed to the project's failure".

Common error

Avoid using "his fault" as a deflection tactic. Acknowledge your own role in a situation before assigning blame to others. For example, instead of saying "It's his fault we missed the deadline", consider acknowledging your own contribution first, then address the other person's part.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his fault" primarily functions as a noun phrase indicating attribution of blame or responsibility. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it is used to assign culpability for a specific event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "his fault" is a common phrase used to assign blame or responsibility to a male individual for a particular situation or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While direct, its tone is generally neutral and suitable for a range of situations, though care should be taken to avoid overuse and consider alternative ways of expressing responsibility or error. Remember to avoid using the phrase as a deflection tactic and always consider the context before assigning blame. Consider alternatives such as "he is responsible" or "he made an error" to soften the accusatory tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is to blame

This alternative directly assigns blame to the person in question, using a straightforward assertion.

he is responsible

This phrase emphasizes accountability rather than blame, focusing on the person's obligation.

he bears the responsibility

This version highlights the weight of the obligation, suggesting a more formal tone.

he is culpable

This term suggests legal or moral blameworthiness, implying a serious error.

the mistake was his

This alternative shifts the focus to the error itself, attributing it to the person.

he erred

This option uses a more formal and concise way of saying someone made a mistake.

the fault lies with him

This emphasizes where the blame should be directed, using a more indirect structure.

he is the reason

This alternative focuses on the causation of the problem, assigning responsibility.

he is the cause

Similar to "he is the reason", this highlights the causal connection between the person and the issue.

he is the origin

This option indicates that the person is the source of the problem, using a more abstract term.

FAQs

How can I use "his fault" in a sentence?

You can use "his fault" to assign blame or responsibility for a mistake or problem. For example, "The accident was "his fault" because he was speeding".

What's a more formal way to say "his fault"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "he bears the responsibility" or "he is culpable". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts where a direct but respectful tone is needed.

Is it always appropriate to say "his fault"?

No, it's important to consider the context and your relationship with the person you are blaming. Sometimes, it's more constructive to focus on solutions rather than assigning blame. Instead of "his fault", focus on "what went wrong" and "how to fix it".

What are some less accusatory ways to express that someone made a mistake?

Instead of directly saying "his fault", you could say "he made an error" or "he was mistaken". These options soften the blame while still acknowledging the mistake.