substantially to blame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially to blame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the degree of responsibility or fault attributed to someone or something in a particular situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that the company was substantially to blame for the environmental damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Leicester, who sacked their defence coach last week and expressed pre-match misgivings about playing on artificial surfaces, had only themselves to blame and will need to improve substantially to trouble the French champions Racing Metro next weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

To blame?

Independent

Who's to blame?

University of California, Berkeley

Am I to blame?

Princeton University

So who to blame?

University of California, Berkeley

Is anyone to blame?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Are consumers to blame?

The Economist

(Everyone was to blame).

The New Yorker

Who is to blame?

The New York Times

She was to blame.

The New Yorker

Nobody was to blame.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially to blame", ensure the context clearly supports the assignment of significant responsibility. Provide evidence or reasoning to justify the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially to blame" when the evidence only suggests a minor contribution to the issue. Ensure the level of blame aligns with the actual degree of responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially to blame" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. Ludwig AI confirms it correctly attributes a significant degree of responsibility or fault.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "substantially to blame" is a grammatically correct and formal way to attribute a significant degree of responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While relatively rare, it appears in news and academic contexts. When using it, make sure that the context clearly supports the assignment of a high degree of responsibility. Alternatives include "largely responsible" or "primarily at fault".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely responsible

Indicates a major portion of responsibility, similar to being substantially to blame.

primarily at fault

Highlights the primary cause of fault, akin to substantial blame.

considerably responsible

Emphasizes a significant degree of responsibility.

significantly culpable

Focuses on the degree of culpability or blameworthiness.

majorly accountable

Highlights a large degree of accountability.

chiefly responsible

Points to the main responsibility, similar to substantial blame.

mainly to blame

A slight rephrasing with similar implications of primary fault.

heavily responsible

Indicates a considerable weight of responsibility.

largely at fault

Similar to "largely responsible", focusing on fault.

greatly responsible

Expresses a high degree of responsibility.

FAQs

What does "substantially to blame" mean?

It means that someone or something is considered to be largely or significantly responsible for a particular outcome or situation.

What are some alternatives to saying "substantially to blame"?

You can use alternatives like "largely responsible", "primarily at fault", or "significantly culpable" depending on the context.

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

Example: "After a thorough investigation, the company was found to be "substantially to blame" for the environmental damage."

Is it appropriate to use "substantially to blame" in formal writing?

Yes, "substantially to blame" is suitable for formal writing, especially when presenting factual information or analysis. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong assertion of blame.