nobody to blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nobody to blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where no one is at fault or responsible for a negative outcome. Example: "In the end, there was nobody to blame for the project's failure; it was simply a series of unfortunate events."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fool me twice, shame on me". If Prabowo and his team continued to believe Jokowi's assurances, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

HuffPost

That may well be the case and, if so, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

Huffington Post

Nobody to blame.

The Times

Nobody to blame but myself".

The New York Times

But there's nobody to blame.

The New York Times

There's nobody to blame here.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I've nobody to blame but myself.

The Guardian

You have nobody to blame but yourself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is nobody to blame but myself.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have nobody to blame but ourselves".

The New York Times - Sports

There is just nobody to blame.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "nobody to blame", ensure the context clearly indicates that no individual or entity is responsible for the situation. Avoid using it when someone is clearly at fault, as it can be perceived as dismissive or evasive.

Common error

A common mistake is using "nobody to blame" to deflect responsibility when accountability is indeed necessary. Ensure that the situation genuinely lacks a responsible party before using this phrase; otherwise, it can erode trust and appear disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nobody to blame" functions as a statement denying responsibility or fault for a particular situation. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in contexts where no individual or entity can be held accountable. The phrase effectively communicates a lack of culpability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nobody to blame" is a commonly used expression that indicates a lack of responsibility or fault for a particular situation. Ludwig AI shows that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media. While adaptable, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, avoiding its misuse to deflect accountability when necessary. Alternatives like "no one is at fault" or "no one is responsible" can provide similar meanings, depending on the desired tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no one is at fault

Replaces the personal pronoun 'nobody' with the more formal 'no one' and uses a more descriptive expression for 'blame'.

it's no one's fault

A more direct and casual way of stating that no one is to blame.

no one is responsible

Focuses on the aspect of responsibility rather than blame, offering a more neutral tone.

no one bears the responsibility

Similar to 'no one is responsible', but uses 'bears' to add a slightly more emphatic tone.

no fault can be assigned

Emphasizes the inability to attribute fault to anyone or anything.

the responsibility lies with no one

Reorders the sentence structure to emphasize that responsibility is absent.

no culpability exists

Uses more formal and legalistic language to express the absence of guilt.

there isn't anyone to accuse

Focuses on the inability to point fingers or make accusations.

no party is at fault

Uses the term 'party' to suggest a formal or legal context, where individual actors may be involved.

there's no one to hold accountable

Highlights the absence of someone who can be held responsible for an action or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "nobody to blame" in a sentence?

You can use "nobody to blame" to indicate that no one is responsible for a particular situation or outcome. For example, "The project failed due to unforeseen circumstances, and there was "nobody to blame"".

What can I say instead of "nobody to blame"?

You can use alternatives like "no one is at fault", "no one is responsible", or "no culpability exists" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "there is nobody to blame" or "there are nobody to blame"?

The correct phrasing is "there is nobody to blame" because "nobody" is singular. "There are" is used with plural nouns.

What's the difference between "nobody to blame" and "no one to blame"?

"Nobody to blame" and "no one to blame" are largely interchangeable and carry the same meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.