Who is to blame vs Who is to be blamed

Both "who is to blame" and "who is to be blamed" are correct phrases, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Who is to blame" is more commonly used and implies a general inquiry about responsibility. On the other hand, "who is to be blamed" is less common and sounds more formal or passive. The choice between them depends on the context and the tone you want to convey.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 1197 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to inquire about responsibility.

"Who is to blame"

This phrase is used to ask about the person or people responsible for a particular situation or problem.

Examples:

Who is to blame for this mess?
We need to find out who is to blame for the delay.
Who is to blame for the error in the report?

Show examples from the web [+]

Who is to blame for this development?
Panoramic Who is to blame for shrinking real wages in the UK? Nobody?
As for who is to blame, I don't know.
However, Mr President of the Commission, although I have followed the debate I have not yet understood who is to blame.
Who is to blame for these attacks in Panama?
In such an immensely rich and scientifically advanced country where hundreds of thousands of people die every year for these reasons, who is to blame? Who kills these people? Who denounce such facts?
Who is to blame, if not first and foremost the Duma which refused to give the banking system the legislative framework it needed to operate?
Who is to blame when the budget, which has been approved by the Council and the European Parliament, is not fully implemented?
Who is to blame and who is taking advantage of all this?
And we all know who is to blame.
And who is to blame this time?
But then who is to blame?
I'm asking you who is to blame?
¿De who is to blame?
So who is to blame, you ask?
When a mistake occurs, who is to blame?
The question is who is to blame.
Watch these two striking contrasts, you moralists and philanthropists, and tell me who is to blame!
Question: Before we talk of discouragement, it is better to first of all ask questions like; who is to blame?
We should not be arguing at this point about who is to blame for something or who failed to do what.

Alternatives:

Who is responsible?
Who caused this?
Who should be held accountable?
Who is at fault?
Who should take the blame?

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English. It sounds more formal or passive compared to "who is to blame".

"Who is to be blamed"

This phrase is also used to ask about responsibility, but it may sound more formal or passive than "who is to blame".

Examples:

In this situation, who is to be blamed?
The question remains, who is to be blamed for the failure?
Who is to be blamed for the accident?

Show examples from the web [+]

Who is to be blamed? The media, the government and business.
Who is to be blamed?
Who is to be blamed for this massive sacrifice of human life?
I know it's a shame. But who is to be blamed?
But who is to be blamed?
Mr President, there is no doubt that we are facing a catastrophic situation in the Middle East, and one of course wonders who is to be blamed for it.
But who is to be blamed?

Alternatives:

Who is to blame?
Who is responsible?
Who caused this?
Who should be held accountable?
Who is at fault?

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Who is to blame vs Who is to be blamed

"Who is to blame"

"Who is to be blamed"

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