sense of culpability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of culpability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of guilt or responsibility for a wrongdoing or mistake. Example: "After realizing the impact of his actions, he was overwhelmed by a sense of culpability that he couldn't shake off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But a child victim's sense of culpability is misplaced.

The New York Times - Health

"We find out what is their thinking, attitude, and sense of culpability.

Independent

My generation wanted to discuss what happened without a sense of culpability.

The New York Times

That story, with its shifting sense of culpability, is the closest Davis comes to describing her struggles with Daniel.

The New Yorker

But whatever his own sense of culpability, he assured his men of his pride in their efforts, inadequate as these had proved.

Independent

Logan shared that perspective, but felt a much deeper sense of culpability after the next batter, Elliot Johnson, bounced a comebacker toward him.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But there was never any sense of any culpability and it seemed a futile exercise for me to try to find out who had betrayed us.

The Guardian

The balance, the sense of mutual culpability in what went wrong, is lost, because the wounds are too raw, and the anger too strong.

The Guardian - Sport

In The Brothers Karamazov, Dostoevsky's Father Zosimas manifests a keen sense of this culpability.

Huffington Post

While the Bible may not have a concept of progressive taxation, it does have some sense of shared culpability.

Huffington Post

He says everyone involved needs to take on a sense of "shared culpability," even if the problem is happening on the other side of the world.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of culpability" when you want to convey a cognitive understanding or awareness of being responsible for something negative. It's more nuanced than simply feeling guilty.

Common error

While related, "sense of culpability" implies a reasoned understanding of responsibility, whereas "sense of guilt" primarily focuses on the emotional response. Use "sense of culpability" when the cognitive aspect is important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of culpability" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a state of awareness or recognition of one's blameworthiness or responsibility for a wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms the proper usage of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

14%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of culpability" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that conveys an understanding or acknowledgement of responsibility for a negative outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's distinct from simply feeling guilty, implying a more cognitive recognition of one's role in wrongdoing. While found across various sources, it's most prevalent in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, remember that "sense of culpability" is best used when highlighting the reasoned understanding of responsibility, rather than just the emotional response of guilt. Alternatives include "feeling of guilt", "sense of responsibility", and "awareness of wrongdoing", each offering slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of guilt

Focuses specifically on the emotional experience of guilt.

sense of guilt

Similar to "feeling of guilt", but emphasizes a more intellectual or perceived understanding of guilt.

feeling of responsibility

Emphasizes the obligation or duty felt for an action or outcome.

sense of responsibility

Similar to "feeling of responsibility", highlighting an awareness of one's duties.

awareness of guilt

Highlights the conscious recognition of one's guilt.

recognition of culpability

A more formal way of expressing acknowledgement of blameworthiness.

feeling of blameworthiness

Directly addresses the sense of being deserving of blame.

sense of being to blame

Similar to "feeling of blameworthiness", but more conversational.

awareness of wrongdoing

Focuses on the recognition of having committed a wrong action.

acknowledgment of fault

A formal expression of admitting one's error or mistake.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of culpability" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of culpability" to describe a situation where someone understands and acknowledges their responsibility for a negative outcome. For example, "After the accident, he was overwhelmed by a "sense of culpability"".

What's the difference between "sense of culpability" and "feeling of guilt"?

"Sense of culpability" implies a reasoned understanding and acceptance of responsibility, while "feeling of guilt" focuses more on the emotional distress and remorse associated with wrongdoing. The former is cognitive, the latter is emotional.

What are some alternatives to "sense of culpability"?

Depending on the context, you could use "feeling of guilt", "sense of responsibility", or "awareness of wrongdoing" as alternatives.

Is it appropriate to use "sense of culpability" in formal writing?

Yes, "sense of culpability" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing legal, ethical, or moral responsibilities. It conveys a sophisticated understanding of accountability.