share the blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "share the blame" is correct and can be used in both spoken and written English.
It is used to suggest that responsibility for something should be shared by multiple people. For example, "The company faced criticism from investors, but everyone was willing to share the blame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they share the blame.

The New York Times

But the restaurateurs share the blame.

The New York Times - Food

And Congress should share the blame.

The New York Times

I share the blame for my divorce.

The New Yorker

And politicians must share the blame.

The Economist

Austerity and confusion share the blame.

The Economist

The backs, too, share the blame.

The New York Times - Sports

Strickland could share the blame.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet, Amazon should probably share the blame.

The New Yorker

But the operators must also share the blame.

The Economist

State authorities like those in U.P. share the blame.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "share the blame", ensure it's clear who is sharing the blame and for what specific action or event.

Common error

Avoid using "share the blame" without specifying the parties involved. Be explicit about who bears the responsibility and to what extent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "share the blame" functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and indicates that responsibility for a fault or wrongdoing is not solely attributable to one party but is distributed among several entities. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from personal relationships to international affairs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "share the blame" is a commonly used expression to indicate that responsibility for a negative outcome is distributed among multiple parties. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, especially in "News & Media". While grammatically sound, it's important to clearly specify who is sharing the blame to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases like "divide the responsibility" or "be partly responsible" can offer subtle variations in meaning. By understanding its function, purpose, and context, you can effectively use "share the blame" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be partly responsible

A direct and simple way of stating shared responsibility.

take a share of the responsibility

Emphasizes actively taking on responsibility.

divide the responsibility

Focuses more on the 'responsibility' aspect, rather than 'blame'.

distribute the fault

Replaces 'blame' with 'fault', which can sometimes be milder.

split the culpability

Uses the more formal word 'culpability' instead of 'blame'.

apportion the responsibility

A more formal and precise way of saying responsibility is divided.

bear partial responsibility

Suggests taking on a portion of the responsibility.

shoulder some of the burden

Emphasizes the 'burden' aspect of responsibility.

have a hand in the failure

An idiomatic expression indicating involvement in a negative outcome.

contribute to the problem

Focuses on contributing to the problem, rather than the blame.

FAQs

How can I use "share the blame" in a sentence?

You can use "share the blame" to indicate that multiple parties are responsible for a negative outcome. For example, "Both companies must "share the blame" for the environmental disaster".

What is an alternative to saying "share the blame"?

Alternatives to "share the blame" include phrases like "divide the responsibility", "split the culpability", or "be partly responsible" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "share the blame" or "take responsibility"?

"Share the blame" implies a distribution of responsibility, while "take responsibility" suggests an individual is accepting accountability. The best choice depends on whether one person or multiple parties are at fault.

What does it mean when someone says they "share the blame"?

When someone says they "share the blame", it means they acknowledge they are partly responsible for a negative outcome, even if others are also involved. It suggests they are willing to accept some accountability.