pinned on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pinned on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is attached or affixed to a surface or to indicate that blame or responsibility is assigned to someone or something. Example: "The note was pinned on the bulletin board for everyone to see."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Whether it can be pinned on any one person, or even administration, is another matter.

The New Yorker

In one hospital he saw the number "33" pinned on a man's body, he said.

The New York Times

We want something that was really pinned on someone.

The New York Times

Obama buttons were plentiful, many pinned on lapels.

The New York Times

Not all initial public offering troubles can be pinned on Facebook.

The New York Times

Hopes are pinned on two others, oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamavir (Relenza).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Under the blazing sun, a rosette is pinned on me.

BBC

If anyone runs over him, it's going to be pinned on his stature.

BBC

Responsibility is pinned on a few expendable front-line staff, all conveniently sacked in advance.

Wikipedia

Have you seen other Twittter fails pinned on "ghost-tweeters" we should add to our list?

Huffington Post

Following tradition it was pinned on by his mother as his dad looked on, fishlike.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pinned on" to describe physical attachments, like badges or decorations, especially when emphasizing a formal or ceremonial act.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "pinned on" in formal writing. Alternatives like "attributed to" or "ascribed to" can lend a more sophisticated tone in academic or business settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "pinned on" functions primarily to indicate either a physical attachment (e.g., "a rosette is pinned on me") or the attribution of blame or responsibility (e.g., "the blame won't be incorrectly pinned on you"). Ludwig AI confirms this versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pinned on" is a versatile phrasal verb commonly used in English to describe physical attachment or the attribution of blame or responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media sources. While its register is generally neutral, writers should be mindful of context and consider alternatives like "attributed to" or "ascribed to" in more formal settings. When assigning blame using "pinned on", ensure that the attribution is clearly supported by the context. Overall, "pinned on" is a valuable and reliable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attributed to

This phrase specifically indicates assigning a cause or characteristic to someone or something.

blamed on

This phrase implies assigning responsibility for something negative.

ascribed to

This phrase suggests attributing a quality or action to a specific cause or person, often with a degree of uncertainty.

dependent on

This phrase highlights reliance on something for a specific outcome or result.

affixed to

This phrase literally means to attach something physically.

fastened to

Similar to 'affixed to', this implies a secure physical attachment.

attached to

A more general term for linking or connecting something.

linked to

Indicates a connection or association between two things.

placed on

Indicates the act of putting something onto something else.

hinged on

Emphasizes that the outcome or success is heavily reliant on a particular factor.

FAQs

What does "pinned on" mean?

The phrase "pinned on" can mean to physically attach something with a pin, or to attribute blame or responsibility to someone or something. The meaning depends on the context.

How can I use "pinned on" in a sentence?

You can use "pinned on" to describe a physical attachment, such as "A badge was pinned on his jacket". Alternatively, you can use it to assign blame, such as "The failure was pinned on the new manager".

What are some alternatives to "pinned on" when assigning blame?

Instead of "pinned on", you could use alternatives like "attributed to", "blamed on", or "ascribed to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "pinned on" versus "hinged on"?

"Pinned on" suggests a direct cause or attachment, while "hinged on" implies a greater degree of dependency. Use "pinned on" when directly attributing something, and "hinged on" when emphasizing that the outcome relies on a particular factor.