i was at fault

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was at fault" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to acknowledge that you take responsibility for something that has gone wrong. For example: "I'm sorry for not attending the meeting. I was at fault and should have made sure to be there on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I was at fault because God had said so.

The Guardian

What are they?' " "Right then is where I think that I was at fault," Knight said.

The New York Times - Sports

Even when I was at fault, I always accepted blame and took it upon myself.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was starting to feel like I was at fault for not making it work," said another.

The Guardian

Perhaps I was at fault for not being more forthright and getting the fundamental question of budget answered at the outset?

The Guardian

"I like to think that, while I was at fault to tackle from intellectual curiosity too great a variety of scientific interests, I have left on my route some trace of my passing".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I am at fault.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm at fault for that to some degree.

The New York Times - Arts

And: "Because I do all manner of woman things, I am at fault".

The New York Times - Arts

I'm at fault, too, for not having noticed it earlier.

The New Yorker

"I'm at fault of that and we're all at fault of that".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i was at fault" when you want to clearly and directly acknowledge your responsibility for an error or negative outcome. It conveys accountability and sincerity.

Common error

Avoid using "i was at fault" excessively, especially in situations where shared responsibility exists. Overuse can diminish its impact and make you appear overly self-critical. Consider alternative phrasings or clarifying the extent of your responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was at fault" functions as a statement of admission or acknowledgment. It's used to directly accept responsibility for an error, mistake, or negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, aligning with numerous examples of its use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i was at fault" is a phrase used to directly admit responsibility for a mistake or error. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. It often appears in news and media contexts, indicating its neutrality and directness. While variations like "it was my fault" or "i take responsibility" offer alternative ways to express culpability, "i was at fault" provides a clear and concise way to acknowledge one's own error. It's advisable to use this phrase thoughtfully, ensuring it aligns with the context and the level of responsibility involved, as overuse can dilute its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was my fault

Slightly different phrasing, emphasizing possession of the fault.

i am to blame

Emphasizes the speaker's culpability for the situation.

the fault was mine

Shifts the focus to the fault itself and attributes it to the speaker.

i was wrong

A simple and direct admission of being incorrect.

i take responsibility

Focuses on accepting responsibility directly without explicitly stating fault.

i am responsible

Focuses on the responsibility aspect, implying accountability for the outcome.

i made a mistake

Highlights the error made, without necessarily implying fault.

i acknowledge my error

A formal expression of recognizing one's mistake.

i erred

A more formal and less common way of saying "I made a mistake."

i messed up

An informal way of saying "I made a mistake", suitable for casual contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "i was at fault" in a sentence?

You can use "i was at fault" to acknowledge responsibility for an error, such as, "I apologize for the delay; "i was at fault" for not submitting the report on time."

What's a more formal alternative to "i was at fault"?

A more formal alternative is "i take responsibility" or "i acknowledge my error", which conveys a similar meaning but with a more professional tone.

Is it better to say "it was my fault" or "i was at fault"?

Both "it was my fault" and "i was at fault" are correct. "It was my fault" emphasizes possession of the fault, while "i was at fault" focuses on your state of being responsible. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What does it mean to say "i am to blame"?

Saying "i am to blame" is similar to "i was at fault", indicating that you accept responsibility for something negative that occurred. It directly assigns culpability to yourself.