main culprit

USAGE SUMMARY

"main culprit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person, group, or thing that is primarily responsible for something bad or wrong. For example: "The burglars were arrested, but the police are still tracing the main culprit behind the robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Piracy is the main culprit.

The Economist

"They are the main culprit.

The New Yorker

Energy prices were the main culprit.

The Economist

He saw drugs as the main culprit.

The New York Times

Tate Modern remains the main culprit.

The New York Times - Arts

The main culprit is deflation, or falling prices.

The New York Times

And in both cases the main culprit is also clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

The main culprit, as ever, is the mining industry.

The Guardian - Business

Experts say global warming is the main culprit.

The New York Times

The Social Security Administration's quality assurance is a main culprit.

The New York Times

But then I channelled my ire at the main culprit.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main culprit", ensure the context clearly identifies what or whom is being blamed. Avoid ambiguity by providing specific details or evidence to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "main culprit" as a lazy explanation without providing supporting evidence or analysis. A stronger argument includes detailed reasoning and specific examples, rather than relying on a vague accusation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main culprit" functions as a noun phrase identifying the primary cause or agent responsible for a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as evidenced by numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

22%

TechCrunch

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Huffington Post

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "main culprit" is a common and grammatically sound way to identify the primary cause or responsible party in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used in news, scientific, and business contexts. When employing "main culprit", it's crucial to provide specific details and evidence to support your claim and avoid overuse without substantiation. Alternatives like "chief cause" or "primary reason" may be more appropriate depending on the desired tone and context. Overall, "main culprit" is a useful phrase when used judiciously and with clear supporting information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chief cause

Replaces "culprit" with a more general term for cause, focusing on the origin of the problem.

primary reason

Shifts the focus to the reasoning behind the issue, instead of blaming a specific entity.

major factor

Highlights the significant influence without necessarily assigning blame.

underlying cause

Highlights a less obvious, but fundamental reason for the issue.

key contributor

Emphasizes the role of something in bringing about the result, whether positive or negative.

root of the problem

Focuses on the fundamental source or origin of the issue.

principal agent

More formal and emphasizes the active role of the responsible party.

prime suspect

Implies an investigation or search for the responsible party.

biggest offender

More accusatory and implies a history of wrongdoing.

central figure

Highlights the importance of someone in an event.

FAQs

How can I use "main culprit" in a sentence?

You can use "main culprit" to identify the primary cause or responsible party in a negative situation. For example, "Piracy is the "main culprit" behind the decline in Japanese pop culture export earnings."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "main culprit"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "chief cause", "primary reason", or "major factor".

Is it always appropriate to use the phrase "main culprit"?

While grammatically correct, "main culprit" can sound accusatory. Consider the tone and audience when choosing this phrase. In some cases, a more neutral term like "key contributor" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "main culprit" and "prime suspect"?

"Main culprit" implies a confirmed cause or responsible party, while "prime suspect" suggests someone or something is under investigation but not yet proven responsible.