was at fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was at fault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is responsible for a mistake or wrongdoing in a situation. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it was clear that he was at fault for the accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adams was at fault.

The New York Times - Sports

Miss Decker was at fault.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think the Army was at fault".

The New York Times

"No one guy was at fault.

The New York Times - Sports

"He was at fault, it's true.

The Guardian - Sport

He said the truck was at fault.

The New York Times

The bank was at fault, it said.

The Guardian

Police reports indicated that the deceased driver was at fault.

Yale University

Fitzgerald initially resisted the idea that he was at fault.

The New Yorker

On this play, who do you think was at fault?

The New York Times

"From my point of view the track was at fault".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was at fault", clearly state the reason or action for which the person or entity is considered responsible. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was at fault" without specifying the exact action or omission that led to the blame. Instead of saying "he was at fault", specify "he was at fault for failing to signal before turning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was at fault" functions as a predicate adjective, assigning responsibility or blame to a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common way to indicate culpability in various situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was at fault" is a common and grammatically sound way to express responsibility or blame. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While it is most frequently found in news and media, its use extends to academic and general discussions. When using this phrase, be specific about the reason for the fault to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""was responsible"" or ""was to blame"" to adjust the tone, as ""was at fault"" can be perceived as accusatory. Therefore, clarity and context are key to effectively using the phrase "was at fault".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to blame for the issue

A common and straightforward way to assign blame.

responsible for the mistake

Directly states responsibility for an error.

bore the blame

Emphasizes the act of carrying the burden of culpability.

held responsibility

Indicates acceptance or assignment of responsibility.

accountable for the incident

Highlights the obligation to answer for an event.

liable for the error

Focuses on legal or formal accountability.

the cause of the problem

States a causal relationship to an issue.

culpable in the matter

Suggests moral blameworthiness.

the reason for the error

Identifies a specific cause for an error.

at the root of the problem

Indicates being the primary cause of the trouble.

FAQs

How can I use "was at fault" in a sentence?

Use "was at fault" to indicate responsibility for an error or wrongdoing. For example, "The driver "was at fault" for the accident because he ran a red light."

What are some alternatives to "was at fault"?

Alternatives include "was responsible", "was to blame", or "liable for", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was at fault" or "responsible for"?

Both phrases are correct, but "responsible for" might sound less accusatory than ""was at fault"". The best choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone is described as "at fault"?

It means they are considered responsible for something negative that happened, whether it's an accident, a mistake, or a problem.