was blamed on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was blamed on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is held responsible for a particular issue or problem. Example: "The failure of the project was blamed on a lack of communication among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The attack was blamed on one of many insurgent groups fighting Indian rule there.

The Economist

They included two severe cases and one death, which was blamed on methamphetamine.

Los Angeles Times

At least one fatal automobile accident was blamed on the storm.

The New York Times

It was one of the largest collisions in US history and was blamed on heavy fog.

Wikipedia

It was blamed on dissident republicans.

The Economist

Violence was blamed on demonstrators.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That was blamed on a 'foreign object'".

The Guardian - Business

It was blamed on the Iranian government.

The Guardian

This was blamed on John Sununu, the chief of staff.

The New Yorker

That decline was blamed on severe winter weather.

The Economist

The damage was blamed on years of delay and bickering.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives such as "caused by" or "attributed to" when fault isn't the focus.

Common error

Avoid using "was blamed on" when the subject is too general or undefined. For instance, instead of "The problem was blamed on management," specify which actions or decisions of management led to the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was blamed on" functions as a passive construction used to indicate the cause or source of a negative situation, event, or outcome. It highlights what is being held responsible, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was blamed on" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction for attributing responsibility for a negative event or outcome. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is considered correct. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to explain causality, though it carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. When writing, ensure clarity in identifying both the subject and the issue being blamed. Consider alternatives like "was attributed to" when fault isn't the primary concern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was attributed to

Focuses on cause or origin rather than direct fault or responsibility.

was ascribed to

Similar to "attributed to" but can also imply a less certain or more speculative connection.

was pinned on

Suggests a more forceful or possibly unfair assignment of blame.

was held responsible for

Emphasizes accountability and duty for the outcome.

was considered the cause of

Directly identifies the subject as the reason something happened.

was deemed accountable for

Implies a formal judgment or assessment of responsibility.

was cited as the reason for

Focuses on providing an explanation or justification for an event.

was imputed to

Suggests blame is assigned, possibly falsely or without sufficient evidence.

was laid at the door of

More idiomatic, suggesting responsibility is directly and undeniably connected to someone.

was traced back to

Indicates that the origin or cause of something was identified as the subject.

FAQs

How can I use "was blamed on" in a sentence?

Use "was blamed on" to indicate that someone or something is considered responsible for a negative outcome. For example: "The project's failure "was blamed on" poor planning."

What are some alternatives to "was blamed on"?

Alternatives include "was attributed to", "was ascribed to", or "was held responsible for". Choose the alternative that best fits the context and level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was blamed on"?

Yes, "was blamed on" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express that someone or something is considered responsible for a negative situation.

What is the difference between "was blamed on" and "was attributed to"?

"Was blamed on" implies fault or responsibility for a negative outcome, while "was attributed to" simply indicates a cause or reason without necessarily assigning blame. For example: "The accident "was blamed on" the driver's negligence," versus "The accident "was attributed to" bad weather."