we are at fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are at fault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when acknowledging responsibility or blame for a mistake or issue. Example: "After reviewing the situation, we realize that we are at fault for the misunderstanding that occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We are at fault for not slaying them," he wrote.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If they don't elect their own people, you can't say we are at fault," Mr. Sidhu said.

The New York Times

The poor become so predisposed to believe that we are at fault that the judgment inherent in this message begins to feel like part of our own thoughts.

The New Yorker

This defense is essentially obfuscation and goes like this: There are so many potential reasons for cancer and other illnesses that it will be impossible to produce proof that we are at fault.

The New York Times

"[With regard to] her credit file, we did report that a balance of £61 was owed but we're struggling to see how such a small sum would affect her mortgage application … if indeed we are at fault we will be more than happy to reimburse her for any charges".

Independent

In the latter case, at Beef's, we have (privately) offered a free dining experience on the house in order to win customers back when we are at fault.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

That's what we were at fault for.

The New York Times - Sports

An apology "promotes the notion that we were at fault, we fixed it and it will never happen again," the colleague said.

The New York Times

The secrets we hold as children, especially those born from familial dysfunction, can be particularly pernicious: too young to handle our experience or verbalize our feelings, and mistakenly convinced we're at fault for events beyond our control, we develop sophisticated systems of self-­defense that become second nature, deeply tied to our identity — until it's time to let them go.

The New York Times - Books

"We were at fault last weekend at Rotherham and unfortunately it's happened again today and that's the disappointment.

BBC

NBC News' Chuck Todd observed Friday, "Look we're at fault here because we put (the White House photos) up". He said, "We basically give out these visual press releases and that's what they are.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Accompany "we are at fault" with a clear explanation of what specific actions or omissions led to the fault. This demonstrates transparency and accountability.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "Mistakes were made." Instead, take direct ownership. Replace passive constructions with active statements such as, "We are at fault for the delay in project completion because of inadequate planning."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are at fault" functions as a statement of admission or acknowledgment of responsibility for an error, mistake, or negative outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we are at fault" is a grammatically correct phrase used to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake or negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears frequently enough to be recognized and understood in various contexts, especially in news and media. Related phrases include "we are to blame" and "we take responsibility". When using the phrase, it's best to clearly define who "we" refers to and accompany the statement with an explanation of the fault. Avoid overuse of the passive voice to ensure clarity and directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are to blame

Replaces "at fault" with "to blame", offering a more direct expression of culpability.

we take responsibility

Shifts the focus to accepting accountability rather than directly stating fault.

it's our fault

A more concise and direct way of admitting blame.

we acknowledge our mistake

Highlights the recognition of an error, implying fault.

we admit our error

Directly confesses a mistake, indicating culpability.

the responsibility lies with us

Indicates where the accountability rests.

we are responsible

States that the onus is on the speaker.

we erred

Uses a more formal and succinct term for making a mistake.

we made an error in judgement

Highlights a lapse in decision-making, attributing blame to poor judgment.

we were mistaken

Focuses on the inaccuracy of a prior action or belief.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "we are at fault"?

Saying "we are at fault" means acknowledging that you or a group you represent is responsible for a mistake, error, or negative outcome. It indicates acceptance of blame or culpability.

How can I use "we are at fault" in a sentence?

You can use "we are at fault" to accept responsibility for a problem. For example: "After reviewing the data, "we are at fault" for the miscalculation."

What can I say instead of "we are at fault"?

You can use alternatives like "we are to blame", "we take responsibility", or "it's our fault" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we are at fault" or "we made a mistake"?

"We are at fault" directly acknowledges responsibility, whereas "we made a mistake" acknowledges an error but may not explicitly convey culpability. The choice depends on the desired level of directness in accepting blame.