to blame for

USAGE SUMMARY

"to blame for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to someone or something as the cause of a problem or mistake. For example, "The mayor is to blame for the mistake in the city budget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To blame for Arizona's wildfires?

The New Yorker

Who's to blame for unhappiness?

University of California, Berkeley

Were hedge funds to blame for either?

The Economist

Is Microsoft to blame for high unemployment?

The New York Times

And who is to blame for that?

The Economist

Who is to blame for all this?

The Guardian - Sport

Who is to blame for this mess?

The Economist

Who was to blame for that?

The New Yorker

"I'm definitely to blame for that.

The New Yorker

Drug violence is to blame for narcocorridos".

The New York Times - Arts

Who was to blame for this?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about what someone or something is "to blame for". Clear language avoids ambiguity and misinterpretation.

Common error

While "to blame for" is common, overuse in formal writing can sound accusatory. Opt for more neutral phrases like "responsible for" or "a contributing factor to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to blame for" functions primarily as a predicative adjective phrase that ascribes responsibility or fault. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in identifying the cause of negative outcomes or problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to blame for" is a common and grammatically sound way to assign responsibility or fault. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability across various contexts. While most frequently found in News & Media, as confirmed by Ludwig, it's important to consider the tone and context when using it, especially in formal writing. Alternatives like ""responsible for"" can provide a more neutral approach. Always ensure you have credible evidence before assigning blame to avoid unsubstantiated accusations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

responsible for

This phrase directly indicates who or what is accountable for something.

accountable for

Similar to "responsible for", emphasizing the obligation to answer for consequences.

at fault for

Indicates that someone or something is the cause of a problem or error.

culpable for

Suggests guilt or deserving of blame for a wrongdoing.

the cause of

Focuses on identifying the source or origin of an event or situation.

the reason for

Explains the grounds or justification for something happening.

liable for

Indicates legal responsibility for damage or harm.

the source of

Points to the origin or starting point of something.

answerable for

Implies a duty to explain or justify actions or outcomes.

in charge of

Highlights the person or entity with control and oversight.

FAQs

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

Use "to blame for" to indicate who or what is responsible for something negative. For example, "The company's management is "responsible for" the recent financial losses".

What are some alternatives to "to blame for"?

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

Is it correct to say "to be blamed for"?

While grammatically understandable, "to blame for" is more common and natural-sounding. "To be blamed for" is generally used in passive constructions.

What's the difference between "to blame for" and "because of"?

"To blame for" directly assigns responsibility, while "because of" simply indicates a cause-and-effect relationship without necessarily implying fault. For example, "The accident was because of the icy road" doesn't assign blame, whereas "The driver was to blame for the accident" does.