largely to blame for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "largely to blame for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when attributing responsibility or fault for a particular situation or outcome, often implying that there are other contributing factors as well. Example: "The recent decline in sales can be largely attributed to blame for the lack of effective marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Overpayment for sports and movie rights was largely to blame for the collapse of KirchPayTV.

The Economist

She added that advertising is largely to blame for reinforcing gender stereotypes at an early age.

Independent

Our disruption of the natural world, "Spillover" declares, is largely to blame for unloosing terrible microbes.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Zhu said local officials in Wukan were largely to blame for the recent unrest.

The New York Times

Some industry officials said weak lending standards, not exceptions, were largely to blame for surging defaults.

The New York Times

Poaching is largely to blame for the population's downward spiral, according to the census.

The New York Times

Why is it so difficult to deal with?Slash-and-burn farming is largely to blame for the haze.

The Economist

Incompetent monetary policies were largely to blame for deflation in America in the 1930s and in Japan today.

The Economist

Laws forbid the kind of slash-and-burn farming that is largely to blame for the disaster.

The Economist

The policies of Winston Churchill, who was prime minister at the time, were largely to blame for the suffering.

Independent

That single project was largely to blame for creating the economic conditions that culminated in the meltdown.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "largely to blame for", ensure it's supported by evidence. Avoid using it based on assumptions.

Common error

Avoid using "largely to blame for" when the responsibility is shared equally or when the evidence is not conclusive. Overstating the blame can lead to misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "largely to blame for" functions as a causal connector, linking a specific factor to a negative outcome. It assigns primary, but not necessarily exclusive, responsibility. As shown in Ludwig's examples, it's often used in news and media to explain the causes of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "largely to blame for" is a common causal connector used to assign primary responsibility for a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to explain the causes behind events while maintaining a neutral register. While effective in conveying blame, alternatives like "primarily responsible for" or "chiefly responsible for" can offer a more nuanced approach. When employing this phrase, ensure there's substantial evidence to avoid misrepresentation or overstating the degree of blame.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primarily responsible for

Emphasizes the primary level of responsibility but uses a different verb.

mainly accountable for

Focuses on accountability rather than blame, softening the negative connotation.

chiefly responsible for

Highlights the chief aspect of responsibility, similar to primarily.

mostly responsible for

Indicates that the majority of the blame can be attributed to something.

predominantly at fault for

Uses "at fault" to directly indicate error or wrongdoing.

substantially responsible for

Highlights the substantial nature of the responsibility.

significantly to blame for

Emphasizes the significance of the blame.

in large part responsible for

Rephrases to emphasize the extent of the responsibility.

a major contributing factor to

Shifts focus to contribution rather than blame, making it less accusatory.

instrumental in causing

Focuses on the role of something as a key factor in causing an event.

FAQs

How can I use "largely to blame for" in a sentence?

You can use "largely to blame for" to indicate that something is the primary cause of a negative situation. For example, "Poor communication was "largely to blame for" the project's failure".

What are some alternatives to "largely to blame for"?

Alternatives include "primarily responsible for", "mainly accountable for", or "chiefly responsible for", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it too accusatory to use the phrase "largely to blame for"?

The phrase "largely to blame for" can sound accusatory, so consider the audience and context. If a less accusatory tone is needed, consider alternatives like "a major contributing factor to" or "instrumental in causing".

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "largely to blame for"?

Avoid using "largely to blame for" if you don't have substantial evidence or if the issue is multifaceted with shared responsibility. In such cases, a more balanced phrasing might be more appropriate.