they are not to blame

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are not to blame" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express that a group of people should not be held accountable for something. Example: "The team lost the game, but they are not to blame. The weather conditions were unfavorable and affected their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The companies themselves say they are not to blame.

The Guardian

They are not to blame for this country's problems, they must be part of the solution.

The Guardian - Opinion

They realise, often for the first time, they are not alone, and they are not to blame for the abuse.

The Guardian

They are not to blame for the uncertainties and extra costs that have emerged since the scheme was mooted.

The Guardian - Opinion

While they are not to blame for the effects of globalization and technology on income distribution, they've done nothing to mitigate these.

The New York Times - Books

Phillips and Valentine have told Wilpon they could have handled some things differently, Wilpon said, "but they are not to blame".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

There's just one major issue for which they aren't to blame: current increases in population.

The Guardian

Businesses took this lesson to heart — even if they aren't to blame, incidents involving their products will always end up hurting their brand.

TechCrunch

But of all the harm heels inflict on women's bodies -- hurting our muscles, throwing our posture out of whack, making us fall off a sidewalk or two -- they aren't to blame for those bunions.

Huffington Post

And I shared my own story of sexual assault nearly 30 years ago, because if more survivors feel emboldened to speak out, and more understand that they aren't to blame, we'll begin to shatter the culture that has allowed this epidemic to take hold.

Huffington Post

"They're not to blame.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they are not to blame", ensure clarity by specifying who or what is actually responsible. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "they are not to blame" without providing an alternative explanation or identifying the true responsible party. Failure to do so can leave your statement incomplete and unconvincing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are not to blame" functions as a statement of exoneration. It serves to explicitly absolve a group from responsibility for a particular situation or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and readily understandable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are not to blame" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a specific group or individuals should not be held responsible for a given situation. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is to deflect blame, and it is found in diverse contexts ranging from news reports and business documents to everyday conversations. When using this phrase, it is crucial to provide context by specifying who or what actually bears the responsibility to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they bear no responsibility

Emphasizes the lack of obligation or duty related to the situation.

they are not responsible

Directly states the absence of accountability.

they are faultless

Highlights their innocence and lack of wrongdoing.

they are without guilt

Focuses on their lack of culpability and blamelessness.

they are absolved of responsibility

Indicates a formal release from blame or obligation.

they cannot be held accountable

Stresses the inability to assign blame or liability.

the responsibility does not lie with them

Shifts the focus away from their involvement or control.

they are clear of any wrongdoing

Emphasizes the absence of any harmful or illegal actions.

they are exonerated

Suggests they have been formally cleared of charges or accusations.

it's not their fault

A common and simple way to express lack of blame.

FAQs

How can I use "they are not to blame" in a sentence?

You can use "they are not to blame" to indicate that a particular group or individual should not be held responsible for a specific event or situation. For example, "Although the project failed, "they are not to blame", as they followed all the given instructions".

What are some alternatives to "they are not to blame"?

Alternatives include "they are not responsible", "they bear no responsibility", or "it's not their fault". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "they are not to blame" or "it's not their fault"?

"They are not to blame" is generally considered more formal than "it's not their fault". The latter is more conversational and suitable for informal settings.

What does it mean when someone says "they are not to blame"?

When someone says ""they are not to blame"", it means they believe that the individuals or group in question should not be held accountable or considered responsible for a negative outcome or situation.