Learn English – difference between “write” and “write down”

Formally, we use accuse with an act—we assert that somebody did something reprehensible:

Mary accuses John of failing to lock the door.

But we use blame with the outcome—we assert somebody's responsibility for the undesirable result:

Mary blames John for the robbery. OR
Mary blames the robbery on John.

Informally, however, these distinctions often blur. For instance, if the robbery has already been mentioned, blame may very easily take a for clause which explains why the target is blamed:

Mary's house has been robbed. Mary blames John, for failing [=because he failed] to lock the door.

And accuse may take a complement which expresses a state rather than an act:

Mary accuses John of being responsible for the robbery.

Frying is cooking by immersion in oil—either total immersion, or partial immersion on each side.

Braising is a two-stage process: the food is first either seared in a dry pan or browned in a little oil, and then cooked slowly in a simmering aqueous (non-fat) liquid.