partially at fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "partially at fault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where responsibility or blame is being assigned to someone, indicating that they share some degree of culpability but not entirely. Example: "In the accident, both drivers were found to be partially at fault, leading to a shared liability for the damages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I'm partially at fault: I've come a day early and there's only a thatched rondavel available.

The Guardian - Travel

But employers are also partially at fault.

TechCrunch

The video game industry is partially at fault too, at least indirectly.

TechCrunch

Ecomom investor Dave McClure agreed that our community, with its apotheosis of successes and the blind eye toward failure, was partially at fault.

TechCrunch

Sunderland defender O'Shea agreed that he had been partially at fault for Holebas's winner although James McCarthy also appeared to be slow to react as Georgios Samaras and Konstantinos Mitroglou combined to set up the Greek striker.

BBC

Burke told Variety on Monday that he was partially at fault when the network hired Kelly away from Fox News in 2017 with a three-year, $69 million deal on NBC News.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The type of stuck-at fault is listed respectively.

BMC Genomics

This ATPG algorithm is based on Boolean Satisfiability (SAT) and utilizes the stuck-at fault model for representing signaling faults.

BMC Genomics

But Firestone and some others, including The New York Times, believe that Ford is at fault, at least partially, because of the vehicle's design.

Forbes

He hung himself in 2010, which judge Aki​ra Yamada ruled was at least partially the fault of his employer and two fellow employees".With only one holiday given to him every several months, the psychological load of prolonged work and power harassment caused his mental disorder," the judge wrote.

Vice

True, Audi sold a paltry 4,090 A8s in this country in 2003, but that at least is partially the fault of a model changeover and a hardly stellar economy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assigning blame, be precise about the degree to which someone is "partially at fault". Provide specific reasons or actions that contributed to the situation. This avoids ambiguity and ensures a fair assessment of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the degree of fault when using "partially at fault". Ensure the evidence supports the claim that the person or entity genuinely contributed to the problem, rather than simply being associated with it. Without clear evidence, attributing partial fault can be misleading and unfair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "partially at fault" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (often a person or entity) to indicate a shared or incomplete level of responsibility. It's used to assign a degree of blame, as exemplified by Ludwig in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "partially at fault" is a useful tool for assigning a degree of responsibility without placing the entire burden of blame on a single party. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across a variety of contexts, including news media and general discussions. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide specific details to support the claim and avoid overstating the degree of fault. Understanding the nuances of "partially at fault" enables more precise and fair communication in situations where responsibility is shared.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partly responsible

Focuses on responsibility rather than fault, suggesting a share in the accountability.

somewhat culpable

Indicates a degree of blameworthiness, but not entirely.

partly to blame

Directly assigns a portion of the blame.

partially responsible

Similar to 'partly responsible', emphasizing the aspect of responsibility.

partially liable

A legal term indicating shared legal responsibility.

partially accountable

Highlights the obligation to answer for actions or omissions.

shares some blame

Suggests a division of blame among multiple parties.

bears some responsibility

Emphasizes the burden of responsibility.

implicated to some extent

Suggests involvement or connection to a negative outcome.

not entirely blameless

Suggests a lack of complete innocence or freedom from fault.

FAQs

How can I use "partially at fault" in a sentence?

You can use "partially at fault" to indicate that someone shares blame or responsibility for something, but not entirely. For example: "The driver was found to be "partially at fault" for the accident, as he was speeding but the other driver failed to yield."

What is a good alternative to "partially at fault"?

Some alternatives to "partially at fault" include "partly responsible", "somewhat culpable", or "partly to blame". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "partially at fault" or "partly at fault"?

Both "partially at fault" and "partly at fault" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them is often a matter of personal preference or stylistic considerations.

What's the difference between "partially at fault" and "entirely at fault"?

"Partially at fault" indicates shared or incomplete responsibility, whereas "entirely at fault" means someone is completely responsible for a situation. If someone is "entirely at fault", they bear the full burden of blame or responsibility.