Be found guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be found guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that a person has been determined to have committed a crime by a court of law. Example: "After a lengthy trial, the jury decided that the defendant would be found guilty of all charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will he be found guilty?

The Economist

Both are likely to be found guilty.

The Economist

You were much more likely to be found guilty".

The New York Times - Books

Will she be found guilty of assaulting the policewoman?

The New York Times - Books

Disturbed enough to be found guilty but insane?

The New York Times

He said he was not surprised to be found guilty.

The Guardian

Yakub was the first to be found guilty.

The Guardian

If these accusations are true, Mr. Hurd could be found guilty of leaking insider information.

The New York Times

"They were expecting to be found guilty even though they are not," he said.

Independent

Lord Hanningfield is the sixth parliamentarian to be found guilty of expenses fraud.

Independent

"We are very confident he will finally be found guilty of murdering our sister".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be found guilty" when you want to emphasize the process of legal determination rather than simply stating a person's guilt.

Common error

Avoid using "be found guilty" interchangeably with "be convicted" in contexts where the subtle difference in emphasis is important. "Be convicted" focuses more on the final verdict, while "be found guilty" highlights the legal process leading to that verdict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be found guilty" functions as a passive construction indicating the outcome of a legal judgment. It signifies that a person has been determined to have committed a crime, as evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples from legal and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be found guilty" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly within legal and journalistic contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across numerous reputable sources. The phrase denotes the outcome of a legal judgment, emphasizing the process of determining guilt. While "be found guilty" is often interchangeable with "be convicted", the former highlights the judgment process, while the latter stresses the formal declaration. When writing, prefer "be found guilty" when the legal process needs to be highlighted. This phrase is used in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be convicted

Emphasizes the formal declaration of guilt by a court.

Be judged guilty

Highlights the act of judgment leading to the determination of guilt.

Be deemed guilty

Implies a formal assessment or consideration resulting in a guilty verdict.

Be proven guilty

Focuses on the evidence and process of demonstrating guilt.

Be held accountable

Stresses the responsibility and consequences following a guilty verdict.

Be liable

More general term indicating legal responsibility, not necessarily criminal.

Face justice

Emphasizes the confrontation with the legal system, regardless of the outcome.

Be sentenced

Focuses on the punishment phase after a guilty verdict.

Answer for one's crimes

Highlights personal accountability and facing the repercussions.

Receive punishment

Emphasis on receiving the sanction as a result of the legal process.

FAQs

How is "be found guilty" used in a sentence?

The phrase "be found guilty" is typically used in the passive voice to describe the outcome of a legal trial or hearing. For instance, "The defendant will "be found guilty" if the evidence proves their involvement in the crime beyond a reasonable doubt."

What's the difference between "be found guilty" and "be convicted"?

"Be found guilty" emphasizes the process of being judged and determined as guilty, while "be convicted" emphasizes the formal declaration of guilt by a court. The latter often implies the imposition of a sentence.

What are some alternatives to "be found guilty"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be judged guilty", "be deemed guilty", or simply "be convicted". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "will be found guilty"?

Yes, "will be found guilty" is grammatically correct. It's a future passive construction, indicating that someone is expected or likely to "be found guilty" at some point in the future.