Attribute vs Blame

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Attribute

Top 2,000 (common) C1 verb

Blame

Top 1,000 (very common) B2 verb

Most common: Blame

	Attribute	Blame
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/əˈtrɪbjuːt/","/əˈtrɪbjuːts/","/əˈtrɪbjuːtɪd/","/əˈtrɪbjuːtɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/əˈtrɪbjuːt/","/əˈtrɪbjuːts/","/əˈtrɪbjuːtɪd/","/əˈtrɪbjuːtɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/bleɪm/","/bleɪmz/","/bleɪmd/","/ˈbleɪmɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/bleɪm/","/bleɪmz/","/bleɪmd/","/ˈbleɪmɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	A quality or feature of someone or something.	To say someone is responsible for something bad.
Example	She attributes her success to hard work and a little luck.	It's easy to blame others when things go wrong.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	C1	B2
Part of speech	verb	verb
Collocations	directly, solely, largely, to, be commonly attributed to, be generally attributed to, be usually attributed to, directly, solely, largely, to, be commonly attributed to, be generally attributed to, be usually attributed to	unfairly, unjustly, partly, can’t, don’t, can hardly, for, on, be to blame (for something), be widely blamed for something
Antonyms	disqualification, lack, deficiency	praise, commend, exonerate
Common mistakes	Confused with 'attribution' which relates to crediting sources., Misusing 'attribute' as a verb instead of a noun., Omitting the correct preposition; remember to say 'attribute something to someone.'	'Blame' can be used without an object, but it's clearer with one (e.g., 'She blames him')., Confused with 'accuse' - 'blaming' doesn’t always imply wrongdoing, while 'accusing' does., Some learners forget to use the preposition 'for' after 'blame' when stating the cause.
Usage notes	Used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal writing, it's often used in academic and professional settings. Avoid using it when speaking casually; instead, simpler words like 'feature' might fit better.	Use 'blame' when pointing to responsibility, often in a negative context. Avoid in overly formal situations; 'attribute' might be better there.

See it in real clips

I wouldn't blame you.

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Well, I can't say as I blame her.

Top Gear › S1 E1

I don't blame Ferrari. I can't blame them, you know.

I wouldn't blame you.

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

Well, I can't say as I blame her.

Blame

Frequently asked questions: Attribute vs Blame

What's the difference between Attribute and Blame?

Attribute: A quality or feature of someone or something. Blame: To say someone is responsible for something bad.

Which is more common: Attribute and Blame?

Blame is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Attribute and Blame?

Attribute is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Attribute and Blame the same CEFR level?

Attribute: C1, Blame: B2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Attribute and Blame?

Attribute: verb, Blame: verb.

Can you show an example of each?

Attribute: She attributes her success to hard work and a little luck. Blame: It's easy to blame others when things go wrong.

Can I use Attribute and Blame interchangeably?

Not always. Attribute and Blame are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.