it was someone else

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'It was someone else' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence whenever you need to express that someone different from yourself was responsible for something. For example: "I wanted to take the blame for the mistake, but it was someone else who had made it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Altman said, "Maybe it was someone else".

The New Yorker

It was someone else using their body".

The Guardian - Books

This wasn't Kay, it was someone else.

The New Yorker

Maybe it was someone else who had written about wasps.

The New Yorker

"No, it was someone else in the East.

The New York Times - Sports

And as I uttered them I almost thought it was someone else speaking.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to think it was someone else in the battalion," she said.

The New York Times

"Of course, it was someone else who broke my nose -- and my jaw.

The New York Times - Magazine

I knew it was someone else, because I know Robin better than anyone else does.

The Guardian - Music

She would run over to greet them only to discover it was someone else entirely.

The Guardian

Does she discover that it was someone else, who is still at large?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was someone else", ensure the context clearly identifies or implies who the 'someone else' might be, or why specifying them isn't necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "it was someone else" as a deflection tactic without basis, as it can damage your credibility. Be prepared to provide context or justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was someone else" functions as a declarative statement used to shift responsibility or deny involvement. It asserts that an action or event was caused by a person other than the speaker or the person being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was someone else" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that a different person was responsible for something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various writing contexts, but its formality should be considered in professional settings. While the expression is mostly used in neutral registers, remember to use it carefully to avoid sounding evasive or deflecting blame unfairly. Use of alternatives such as "another party was responsible" can help achieve a more appropriate tone if required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was another person

Changes the noun from 'someone' to 'person', slightly emphasizing the individual.

it was a different person

Replaces 'someone' with 'a different person' to highlight the distinction.

someone else did it

Rearranges the sentence to focus on the action, placing responsibility on 'someone else'.

someone else is to blame

Directly assigns blame to an unspecified 'someone else'.

another party was responsible

Uses more formal language, replacing 'someone else' with 'another party' and 'it was' with 'was responsible'.

the responsibility lies elsewhere

Employs a more abstract and indirect expression of responsibility.

it wasn't me

Shifts the focus to exclude the speaker from responsibility.

it was not my fault

Explicitly denies blame, implying that another person or factor was responsible.

a third party was involved

Indicates that someone other than those immediately present played a role.

the fault lies with another

A more formal and indirect way of assigning blame to someone else.

FAQs

How can I use "it was someone else" in a sentence?

You can use "it was someone else" to deflect blame or indicate that another person was responsible for an action. For instance, "I didn't break the vase; "it was someone else" who did it."

What's a more formal way to say "it was someone else"?

A more formal alternative to "it was someone else" could be "another party was responsible" or "the responsibility lies elsewhere". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "it was someone else" in a professional setting?

While "it was someone else" is grammatically correct, it can sound informal or evasive in a professional context. Consider using more professional language unless informality is acceptable in the company culture.

What are some alternatives to "it was someone else" that don't assign blame?

If you want to avoid assigning blame, you might say "a mistake was made" or "there seems to have been a misunderstanding". These phrases focus on the issue rather than the person responsible.