particularly to blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "particularly to blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when specifying someone or something that is especially responsible for a negative outcome or situation. Example: "In this case, the management team is particularly to blame for the project's failure due to their lack of oversight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

London's increased cost of living is particularly to blame, with annual rents of up to £8,710.

Independent

The problem is increasingly high fixed costs (mortgages, school/ college fees and health insurance) and the rapacious tactics of the credit industry, with sub-prime lending (lending money to families already in financial trouble) particularly to blame.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Red meat is particularly to blame, consuming 11 times more water and producing 5 times more emissions than its poultry counterparts.

Huffington Post

One of the stand-ins, Tommy Black, was particularly to blame (conceding a penalty for Walsall's second), and was sold by an enraged Chapman to Plymouth Argyle within a week of the result; another, striker Charlie Walsh, was transferred to Brentford a week later.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It is tempting, but not particularly productive, to blame either Dasani's parents or the Bloomberg Administration for the completely unacceptable situation in which this child and her siblings find themselves.

Huffington Post

We humans seem particularly prone to blaming ourselves for our illnesses.

The New York Times

The north is mostly to blame, particularly in the Kordofan region.

The Economist

After disappointing unemployment numbers in January and February, many economists had guessed that a particularly savage winter was to blame.

The Guardian - Business

The survey found that the sagging economy and loss of low-wage jobs were mostly to blame, particularly the downturn in the housing industry, but that crackdowns on illegal immigration also played a role.

The New York Times

Rahul Dubey, a young American Sikh from Oak Creek who is active in interfaith advocacy – and whose godfather was one of the victims of the Oak Creek attack – said politicians are partially to blame, particularly when they fan the flames of Islamophobia that ultimately translate into attacks on Muslims, Sikhs and others who are perceived to be outsiders solely based on their religion or appearance.

The Guardian

Others believe that currency manipulation by East Asian countries, particularly China, is mostly to blame.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by placing "particularly to blame" at different points in the sentence to improve readability and emphasis.

Common error

Avoid weakening the impact of "particularly to blame" by using it with overly general terms. Specify the exact actions or omissions for which someone is being held responsible. Instead of saying "the system is particularly to blame", specify which aspect of the system is at fault.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "particularly to blame" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to specify the entity most responsible for a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is valid and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "particularly to blame" is a grammatically sound and valid expression used to assign significant responsibility or culpability to a specific entity or factor. Ludwig AI analysis shows it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with moderate usage across Wiki and Scientific sources. While relatively uncommon in overall frequency, the phrase's clarity and directness make it a useful tool for emphasizing accountability, provided it is used with precision and contextual awareness. Related phrases like "primarily responsible" or "especially culpable" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

especially culpable

Focuses on the degree of culpability, emphasizing the entity's responsibility.

primarily responsible

Indicates the main entity or factor bearing the responsibility.

chiefly accountable

Highlights accountability as the primary aspect.

largely at fault

Emphasizes the degree of fault, suggesting a significant contribution to the negative outcome.

mainly responsible

Similar to primarily responsible, but with a slightly less formal tone.

significantly liable

More formal, highlighting legal or formal responsibility.

majorly responsible

An informal alternative that places emphasis on the extent of responsibility.

mostly responsible

Indicates the greater part of the responsibility lies with someone or something.

primarily the cause

Shifts the focus to causation rather than blame, but with similar implications.

predominantly responsible

Highlights the dominance of the entity's role in causing the issue.

FAQs

How can I use "particularly to blame" in a sentence?

Use "particularly to blame" to specify who or what is especially responsible for a negative outcome. For example: "The increased cost of living is "particularly to blame" for students struggling financially."

What phrases are similar to "particularly to blame"?

Similar phrases include "primarily responsible", "mainly at fault", or "especially culpable". Choose the best fit based on the specific context and desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "particularly to blame"?

Use "particularly to blame" when you want to single out a specific factor or individual as bearing a significant portion of the responsibility for a problem or failure. Make sure to have sufficient evidence to support your claim.

Is there a less accusatory way to express that something is "particularly to blame"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a major contributing factor" or "significantly responsible" to convey the same idea with a slightly softer tone. This can be useful in situations where you want to avoid direct confrontation.