placed blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "placed blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of assigning responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing to someone or something. Example: "After the incident, the manager placed blame on the team for not meeting the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It also placed blame on fossil fuels.

The Washington Post

Still, Reyes placed blame only on his own strong desire to play.

The New York Times - Sports

Psychiatry in the 1950s placed blame squarely with a patient's mother.

The New York Times

The statement also placed blame on Hawaii, saying the alarm was "purely a state exercise".

The Guardian

Freedman put out a statement that placed blame for news coverage of Kelly at NBC's feet.

The Washington Post

A few papers placed blame on both sides — to an extent.

The Washington Post

Authorities placed blame for the killing on an armed group led by Tolib Ayombekov, a former warlord.

The New York Times

In March 2011 a congressional commission placed blame for the collapse on the owners of the mine and on Sernageomin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The leader placed blame for the fighting on the French and said he was beloved by his people.

The New York Times

On the floor Tuesday, he placed blame squarely on the federal government and said that E-Verify was flawed.

The New York Times

Afghan officials have placed blame for all of those save the Rabbani assassination directly on the Haqqanis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary. While "placed blame" is acceptable, consider using synonyms like "attributed fault" or "assigned responsibility" to enhance your writing's richness and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "placed blame" without specifying who is placing the blame. Vague statements weaken your argument. Instead of saying "Blame was placed", specify "The committee placed blame on the contractors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "placed blame" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of assigning responsibility or fault for something. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig show its use in news reports, academic articles, and general discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "placed blame" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression for assigning responsibility or fault, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to identify accountability for negative events. While versatile, clarity is crucial: specify who is placing the blame to avoid vagueness. Enhance your writing by occasionally substituting with synonyms like "assigned responsibility" or "attributed fault". This ensures precision and stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Layed the blame on

A more casual expression for assigning responsibility.

Assigned responsibility

Focuses more on assigning general accountability rather than specific fault.

Pointed the finger

A more direct, often accusatory, way of assigning blame.

Attributed fault

Emphasizes the identification of a mistake or error as the cause.

Pinpointed culpability

Stresses accuracy in identifying the cause of the issue.

Held accountable

Highlights the act of making someone answerable for their actions or omissions.

Fixed the responsibility

Suggests establishing liability definitively.

Accused of wrongdoing

Specifically indicates a formal or informal charge of improper conduct.

Identified the source

A neutral way of stating where something originated, without necessarily implying fault.

Imputed responsibility

Suggests assigning responsibility based on inference or assumption.

FAQs

How can I use "placed blame" in a sentence?

You can use "placed blame" to indicate the act of assigning responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing to someone or something. For example, "The investigation committee "placed blame" on the company's management for the safety violations".

What are some alternatives to "placed blame"?

Alternatives include "assigned responsibility", "attributed fault", or "held accountable" depending on the context and desired emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to use "placed blame on"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The preposition "on" is typically used after "placed blame" to indicate the person or thing being blamed. For example, "The report "placed blame" on the weather conditions".

What's the difference between "placed blame" and "assumed responsibility"?

"Placed blame" means to assign fault to someone or something, while "assumed responsibility" means to accept accountability for something, whether or not you were at fault. They are opposite in connotation.