to blame

USAGE SUMMARY

"to blame" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are assigning responsibility for something or when you are discussing who is responsible for something. For example, "The accident was his fault, so he is to blame."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To blame?

Independent

"It's me to blame".

The New York Times

She was to blame.

The New Yorker

Nobody was to blame.

The New York Times

"They're not to blame.

The New Yorker

No one to blame.

Independent

Who was to blame?

The Economist

I'm not to blame.

The New Yorker

Someone is to blame.

The New Yorker

It was to blame.

The New Yorker

SCAF is to blame.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to blame", consider the intensity of the situation. While direct, it can also sound accusatory. Opt for softer alternatives like "responsible for" in sensitive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to blame" without sufficient evidence or justification. Instead of jumping to conclusions, investigate thoroughly before assigning responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to blame" functions primarily as an infinitive phrase that serves to assign responsibility or attribute fault. It indicates who or what is considered the cause of something negative. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to blame" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase for assigning responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. While versatile, it can carry an accusatory tone and is predominantly found in news and media, followed by academia. Alternative phrases like "responsible for" or ""at fault"" may offer softer alternatives in sensitive contexts. When using "to blame", ensure there is sufficient evidence before assigning responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at fault

Directly indicates responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing.

in the wrong

Indicates being mistaken or blameworthy in a situation.

held responsible

Emphasizes the act of assigning accountability by an external party.

responsible for

Focuses on accountability rather than explicit fault.

accountable

Highlights the obligation to answer for consequences.

culpable

Implies moral or legal blameworthiness.

liable

Suggests legal responsibility.

answerable

Highlights the obligation to justify actions or decisions.

implicated

Suggests involvement in a negative situation, possibly deserving blame.

the reason for

Identifies the cause or origin of something, which may or may not imply blame.

FAQs

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

You can use "to blame" to assign responsibility for something. For example, "He is "at fault", so he is "to blame" for the accident".

What are some alternatives to using "to blame"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "responsible for", ""at fault"", or "culpable".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to blame"?

It's appropriate to use "to blame" when you want to directly assign responsibility for a negative outcome or mistake. However, consider the tone as it can sound accusatory.

What is the difference between saying someone is "to blame" and saying they are "held responsible"?

While both phrases indicate accountability, "to blame" often carries a stronger connotation of fault or wrongdoing. "held responsible" can be more neutral and focus on the obligation to answer for consequences.