[General] I was to blame/ I was blame

[kompstar]

Are the sentences below correct? If "yes", what's the difference between them?

1. I was to blame.

2. I was blame.

 

[bhaisahab]

"I was blame" is ungrammatical.

 

[GoesStation]

Are the sentences below correct? If "yes", what's the difference between them?

1. I was to blame.

2. I was blame.

"I was blame" is wrong because it uses "blame" as an adjective. "I was to blame" is a correct sentence which you can understand as a shorter version of "I was the one to blame (for the failure)."

 

[kompstar]

1. I was to blame. <- Is "blame" a noun or a verb?

 

[GoesStation]

1. I was to blame. <- Is "blame" a noun or a verb?

Clearly it isn't a noun. After consulting a dictionary, I think "to blame" is an idiomatic adjectival phrase. I can see how it could confuse someone learning English.

I've updated my post, thanks.

 

[bhaisahab]

You could say "I was blamed", kompstar.

 

[Tdol]

You could say "I was blamed", kompstar.

I was to blame. (= it was my fault)
I was blamed. (= people said it was my fault, but I might think differently)