lays the blame for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lays the blame for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when attributing responsibility for a problem or fault to someone or something. Example: "The manager lays the blame for the project's failure on the lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

That war, of which he was an enthusiast, was a catastrophe, he now admits, and he lays the blame for that on a failure to pay attention to the lay of the land.

The New Yorker

Gore lays the blame for these artificial divisions (his view is nothing if not long) on the scientific revolution.

The New Yorker

Robert Dingwall Nottingham Phillip Inman lays the blame for low wages on retired baby boomers and their employers.

The Guardian - Money

He lays the blame for the unprecedented assault on the U.S. financial and military policy in the Middle East".

The New York Times

Wales lays the blame for the lack of social housing in the borough firmly at the feet of the government.

The Guardian

That suggests that the country lays the blame for any unfairness in the budget squarely at the Conservatives' door.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Ms. Devi laid the blame for skyrocketing prices on wholesalers.

The New York Times

At first, he laid the blame for the crime on the four friends.

The New Yorker

"We are not laying the blame for the challenges at the feet of anyone in particular.

The New York Times

The president was vehement in laying the blame for the political deadlock on the Albanians.

The New York Times

Mr. Perkins also needled Ms. Dunn in the speech, laying the blame for the spying at her feet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While "lays the blame for" is generally acceptable, in formal or sensitive situations, consider using more neutral phrasing like "attributes responsibility to" to maintain objectivity.

Common error

Avoid using "lays the blame for" without providing supporting evidence or reasoning. Ensure your attribution is justified to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lays the blame for" functions as a verbal phrase used to attribute responsibility or fault for a particular situation or outcome. It signifies assigning culpability, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lays the blame for" is a common and grammatically correct way to attribute responsibility for a negative situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in news, academic, and professional contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and justification to maintain credibility. Alternative phrases like "attributes responsibility to" or "assigns fault to" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. Overall, "lays the blame for" is a useful tool for clearly assigning culpability in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assigns fault to

Directly points out the guilty party.

points the finger at

A more direct and accusatory way of assigning blame.

attributes responsibility to

Emphasizes the act of assigning responsibility.

holds accountable for

Focuses on demanding an explanation or justification.

places the onus on

Highlights the burden or obligation of responsibility.

traces back to

Identifies the origin or source of a problem or fault.

implicates in

Suggests involvement or connection to a negative outcome.

cites as the cause of

Identifies a specific reason or factor as the origin of something.

ascribes to

Formal way to attribute cause or origin.

links to

Establishes a connection between an action/event and an outcome.

FAQs

What does "lays the blame for" mean?

The phrase "lays the blame for" means to attribute responsibility or fault for something to someone or something.

How can I use "lays the blame for" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The report "attributes the failure to" poor management." It indicates that the report holds poor management responsible for the failure.

What are some alternatives to "lays the blame for"?

Alternatives include "attributes responsibility to", "holds accountable for", and "assigns fault to". Choose the one that best fits the context.

Is it better to say "lays the blame on" or "lays the blame for"?

"Lays the blame for" is typically used when followed by the thing or event being blamed. "Lays the blame on" is used when followed by the person or entity being blamed. Both are acceptable, but the correct choice depends on the sentence structure.