Reach a verdict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Reach a verdict" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts when a jury or judge comes to a decision regarding a case. Example: "After several days of deliberation, the jury was finally able to reach a verdict in the high-profile trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A jury failed to reach a verdict.

The New York Times

The jury failed to reach a verdict.

The New Yorker

Nine votes are needed to reach a verdict.

The New York Times

And that may have helped us finally reach a verdict.

The New York Times

Prosecutors frequently retry defendants when juries cannot reach a verdict.

The New York Times

When the failure to reach a verdict on the rape charge was announced, the teacher wept.

The New York Times

The jury did not reach a verdict on racketeering in the case against Mr. Kilpatrick's father.

The New York Times

July 1991: Mr Henderson acquitted after a second jury fails to reach a verdict.

Independent

But it's too early to reach a verdict or comment on it yet".

Independent

But the jury was unable to reach a verdict on additional theft charges.

The New York Times

If the FF's 12 pistons were a jury, they'd never reach a verdict.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In situations where the decision-making body is not a jury, consider using a broader term like "reach a decision" or "arrive at a conclusion" to maintain accuracy.

Common error

While "reach a verdict" is acceptable, avoid using it too frequently in everyday situations where a simpler phrase like "make a decision" would be more appropriate. Overusing legal terminology can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reach a verdict" functions as a verb phrase, where "reach" is the main verb and "a verdict" is the direct object. It indicates the action of arriving at a decision, specifically in a legal context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reach a verdict" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the outcome of legal deliberations. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase signifies the formal resolution of a case. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. While acceptable, avoid overuse in non-legal contexts where simpler phrases might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Arrive at a decision

Uses "arrive" instead of "reach", and "decision" instead of "verdict".

Come to a conclusion

Employs "come" instead of "reach", and "conclusion" instead of "verdict".

Render a judgment

Replaces "reach" with "render" and "verdict" with "judgment", which is more formal.

Deliver a verdict

Substitutes "reach" with "deliver", emphasizing the act of announcing the verdict.

Hand down a ruling

Uses "hand down" to indicate the official issuing of a legal decision or ruling.

Form a judgment

Uses "form" indicating the mental process of creating a judgment.

Make a determination

Employs "make" instead of "reach", focusing on the act of determining something.

Find a verdict

Uses "find" implying the discovery of the verdict after deliberation.

Return a verdict

Replaces "reach" with "return", commonly used in legal contexts for juries.

Achieve a consensus

Emphasizes the agreement aspect of reaching a verdict, often involving multiple parties.

FAQs

What does it mean when a jury fails to "reach a verdict"?

When a jury fails to "reach a verdict", it means they are unable to come to a unanimous agreement on the guilt or innocence of the defendant. This often results in a mistrial, and the prosecution may decide to retry the case.

What are some synonyms for "reach a verdict"?

Some synonyms for "reach a verdict" include "arrive at a decision", "come to a conclusion", "render a judgment", and "deliver a verdict". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "reach a verdict" different from "reach a decision"?

"Reach a verdict" specifically refers to a decision made in a legal setting, usually by a jury or judge. "Reach a decision" is a more general term that can apply to any situation where a choice or conclusion is made.

What happens after a jury "reach a verdict"?

After a jury "reach a verdict", the verdict is announced in court. If the defendant is found guilty, sentencing typically occurs at a later date. If the defendant is found not guilty, they are released.