it was blamed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was blamed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something or someone being held responsible for a fault or wrongdoing in a passive construction. Example: "The failure of the project was blamed on a lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the mid-1990s Shell was in the dock for trying to dump Brent Spar, an oil rig, into the North Sea, and for its operations in Nigeria, where it was blamed for not stopping the execution of an author and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa.

The Economist

It was blamed for 23 murders before its leader was imprisoned in 1990.

The New York Times

Instead, its introduction in January was tarnished by software problems, and it was blamed for the loss of 5,500 jobs in the insulation industry because the market-driven program replaced one under which utilities subsidized insulation for the draftiest homes.

The New York Times

But while Confucianism has a strong following in South Korea, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam as well as in China and Taiwan, it has had its ups and downs in its homeland, not least early in the 20th century when it was blamed for China's backwardness, and during the Cultural Revolution of the late 1960's and early 1970's when it again came under attack.

The New York Times - Arts

It was blamed on dissident republicans.

The Economist

It was blamed on the Iranian government.

The Guardian

In the agency's first year alone, it was blamed, controversially, for six suicides.

The Economist

It was blamed for setting off violence in several countries worldwide.

The New York Times

It was blamed on Boko Haram, though it has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Independent

It was blamed for the collapse of two of the largest projects in New York City.

The New York Times

It was blamed for one death and $30 million in damage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was blamed", ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined and understood by the reader to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of 'The project failed, and it was blamed', clarify with 'The project failed, and the lack of planning was blamed'.

Common error

Avoid using "it was blamed" without providing clear context or evidence to support the claim. Unsubstantiated blame can undermine credibility and create mistrust.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was blamed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something or someone is being held responsible for a negative outcome or fault. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression effectively conveys the assignment of responsibility. Examples show its use in various contexts, highlighting its versatility in denoting blame.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was blamed" is a common passive construction used to attribute responsibility for a negative event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure clarity by defining the subject and providing evidence to support the attribution. Alternative phrases like "responsibility was assigned to it" or "it was held responsible" can offer a more formal tone, while informal options like "it took the heat" exist for less formal settings. Understanding these nuances allows for effective communication in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was held responsible

Uses "held responsible" to convey accountability rather than just accusation.

the fault was attributed to it

Highlights the concept of fault and uses "attributed" for a formal tone.

it was deemed accountable

Emphasizes accountability and judgment rather than simply blame.

responsibility was assigned to it

Rephrases using a more formal and direct construction emphasizing the assignment of responsibility.

it was pointed to as the culprit

Employs "culprit" to suggest wrongdoing or guilt.

it was seen as the cause

Replaces the notion of blame with causality.

it bore the responsibility

Shifts from passive to active voice, indicating that it actively carried the responsibility.

the onus fell on it

Uses "onus" for a formal term of burden or responsibility.

it faced the accusation

Focuses on the act of accusation rather than the assignment of blame.

it took the heat

An informal idiom expressing that someone received criticism or blame.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was blamed" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can replace "it was blamed" with phrases like "responsibility was assigned to it", "it was held responsible", or "the fault was attributed to it" for a more professional tone.

What is a less formal way to say "it was blamed"?

For less formal contexts, consider using "it took the heat" or "it was seen as the cause", although be mindful of maintaining clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Is there a difference between "it was blamed for" and "it was attributed to"?

"It was blamed for" typically implies a negative consequence or fault, whereas "it was attributed to" is more neutral and simply identifies a cause or source without necessarily assigning blame. For example, "The accident was blamed on the driver's negligence" versus "The discovery was attributed to years of research".

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice construction "it was blamed"?

The passive voice is suitable when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the action rather than the agent. For instance, "The data breach was blamed on a security vulnerability" emphasizes the vulnerability, regardless of who exploited it.