we were at fault

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were at fault" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake or wrongdoing in a situation. Example: "After reviewing the events of the meeting, we were at fault for not providing the necessary information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 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

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

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 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

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

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

The first P is personalization -- the belief that we are at fault.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were at fault", follow it with a clear explanation of what the mistake was and what steps are being taken to rectify it. This demonstrates genuine accountability and commitment to improvement.

Common error

Don't just say "we were at fault" without providing specific details about what went wrong. Vague statements can come across as insincere or dismissive. Always clarify the specific error or oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were at fault" functions as an acknowledgment of responsibility. It's a direct statement admitting that a mistake or wrongdoing occurred and that the speaker (or the group they represent) is accountable. As shown in the provided examples from Ludwig, it often precedes an explanation or apology.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

34%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were at fault" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to admit responsibility for a mistake. Ludwig AI highlights that it functions as a direct way to acknowledge error and accept blame. Although relatively rare, it appears most commonly in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias sources. To use it effectively, follow the statement with a clear explanation of the error and the steps being taken to correct it. Alternatives include "we were responsible" or "we made an error". By providing context and clarity, you can demonstrate genuine accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we made an error

Focuses on the action of making a mistake rather than assigning blame directly.

we were responsible

Emphasizes accountability for the situation.

we take the blame

Highlights acceptance of responsibility.

we acknowledge our mistake

Focuses on the recognition and acceptance of an error.

we were in error

Formal way of admitting to a mistake.

we erred

A concise and formal way to admit a mistake.

we were to blame

Directly states responsibility for a negative outcome.

we take responsibility

Focuses on accepting accountability for the events.

it was our fault

Shifts the focus to possession of the fault.

the fault was ours

A more emphatic way of stating that the responsibility lay with the speaker.

FAQs

What does "we were at fault" mean?

The phrase "we were at fault" indicates that a group or organization acknowledges responsibility for a mistake, error, or negative outcome. It signifies an acceptance of blame or culpability.

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

You can use alternatives like "we were responsible", "we made an error", or "we take the blame" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we were at fault" or "it was our fault"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "we were at fault" is generally more formal. "It was our fault" is slightly more direct and personal. The best choice depends on the specific situation and your desired tone.

How to use "we were at fault" in a sentence?

You can use "we were at fault" in a sentence to admit responsibility for something that went wrong. For example, "After reviewing the incident, we determined that "we were at fault" for the delay."