'accuse' vs 'blame'

Although 'accuse' and 'blame' are similar in meaning, there is a subtle difference in the way they are used. Generally, 'accuse' is used when making a formal statement or allegation, while 'blame' is used in a more informal or casual context.

Examples:

1. He was accused of stealing money from the company's accounts. In this example, 'accuse' is used to describe a formal accusation of stealing money from the company's accounts.

2. She blamed her sister for the broken vase. In this example, 'blame' is used in a more casual context to describe the act of holding someone responsible for the broken vase.

3. The police accused him of the crime, but he was later found innocent. In this example, 'accuse' is used to describe a formal accusation made by the police against someone for a crime they allegedly committed.

4. Don't blame me for the traffic, it's not my fault. In this example, 'blame' is used in a more casual context to deflect responsibility for the traffic from the speaker.

5. The government was accused of corruption by the opposition party. In this example, 'accuse' is used to describe a formal allegation made against the government for corruption.

6. He blamed his lateness on the heavy rain. In this example, 'blame' is used to describe the act of attributing lateness to heavy rain in a more casual context.