lay blame

USAGE SUMMARY

"lay blame" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about taking responsibility or assigning fault or responsibility to someone. Example sentence: "You can't just lay blame on her - you have to accept some responsibility too."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can't lay blame on this guy alone.

The New York Times

She didn't know where to lay blame.

The Washington Post

They admire his dedication and reluctance to lay blame.

The New York Times - Sports

Judge Garaufis did not, however, lay blame entirely at Mr. Bloomberg's feet.

The New York Times

Chastellain does not hesitate at times to lay blame upon his aristocratic patrons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Sauerland said Sunday that it was not the time to lay blame.

The New York Times

Mr. Bernanke did not lay blame for the debt ceiling battle on either political party.

The New York Times

We usually lay blame at the feet of wardens and corrections officers for inmate recidivism.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a divorced woman I refuse to lay blame on men.

The New York Times

It did, however, squarely lay blame for Russia's troubles on the United States.

The New York Times

Despite his evident articulacy, Dave can't say what's happened to him - he can't lay blame.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lay blame", consider the nuance you want to convey. It can imply a deliberate act of assigning fault, so ensure this aligns with your intended meaning. Use it when you want to emphasize the act of assigning responsibility for something negative.

Common error

Avoid using "lay blame" in situations where assigning fault is not the primary concern. If you simply want to describe responsibility without implying fault, consider using alternatives like "identify the cause" or "determine the source" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay blame" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of attributing responsibility or fault to someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. The examples show it used across different contexts to denote the act of assigning blame.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lay blame" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the act of assigning responsibility for something negative. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. As demonstrated by the examples, "lay blame" is most frequently used in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science contexts. When choosing to use "lay blame", consider the nuances it conveys; it often implies a deliberate and potentially critical assignment of fault. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "assign blame", "place the blame" or "attribute fault", depending on the specific context and the level of formality you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assign blame

This alternative is more direct and formal, often used in analytical or investigative contexts.

place the blame

This alternative focuses on the action of directing blame toward a specific target.

attribute fault

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the identification of a mistake or wrongdoing.

pin the blame

This alternative suggests a forceful or perhaps unfair assignment of blame.

hold responsible

This alternative focuses on accountability and assigning duty for an action.

fix responsibility

This alternative is less common and emphasizes establishing accountability.

point the finger

This alternative suggests accusation and directing suspicion.

impute blame

This alternative is more formal and implies attributing blame based on inference.

cast the blame

This alternative suggests broadly distributing blame.

level accusations

This alternative implies a formal or aggressive assignment of blame.

FAQs

What does "lay blame" mean?

"Lay blame" means to assign responsibility or fault for something that has gone wrong. It suggests identifying who or what is considered responsible for a negative outcome.

What are some synonyms for "lay blame"?

Alternatives to "lay blame" include "assign blame", "place the blame", or "attribute fault". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "lay blame"?

Yes, it can be inappropriate to use "lay blame" when the focus should be on finding solutions rather than assigning fault. In such cases, it's better to use phrases like "identify the cause" or "determine the source".

How do I use "lay blame" in a sentence?

You can use "lay blame" to describe who or what is considered responsible for a negative outcome, such as: "The report sought to lay blame for the accident on inadequate safety measures."