a certain amount of guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a certain amount of guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing feelings of guilt that are not quantified but are acknowledged to exist. Example: "After the argument, she felt a certain amount of guilt for her harsh words."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

I'm feeling a certain amount of guilt".

The Guardian

What unifies them, he says, "is a certain amount of guilt about it.

Independent

Where some parents are defiant in their voting choice, for others, a certain amount of guilt is setting in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"All media in the US share a certain amount of guilt for taking these images and passing them on," he said.

The Guardian

Gus diZerega, a former friend of Charles Koch, recalled, "As the Soviets became a stronger military power, Fred felt a certain amount of guilt at having helped build them up.

The New Yorker

"Well, of course there is always a certain amount of guilt attached to homosexuality".' Williams talked to Orton about a friend who had been caught soliciting: 'Found in a cottage she was,' he said.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

But a certain amount of unease remains.

The New York Times

There is a certain amount of selling.

The New York Times

A certain amount of it is automated.

The New York Times

They need a certain amount of freedom.

The New York Times

Both evoked a certain amount of controversy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a certain amount of guilt" when you want to acknowledge a feeling of guilt without specifying its intensity, leaving room for interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a certain amount of guilt" when the feeling of guilt is overwhelming or explicitly known; instead, opt for stronger terms like "intense guilt" or "overwhelming remorse".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a certain amount of guilt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes an unspecified quantity of the emotion of guilt. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a certain amount of guilt" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to express a feeling of responsibility without quantifying it. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable expression in English. This phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts. When writing, it's essential to consider whether a specific degree of guilt is known; if so, more precise language might be appropriate. However, when the goal is to acknowledge the feeling generally, "a certain amount of guilt" serves well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some degree of guilt

Emphasizes the presence of guilt, but without specifying the intensity.

a measure of guilt

Highlights that guilt is present and quantifiable to some extent.

a feeling of culpability

Replaces "guilt" with a synonym that also denotes responsibility for wrongdoing.

a sense of remorse

Focuses on the feeling of deep regret or sorrow for wrongdoing.

a tinge of guilt

Suggests a slight or subtle feeling of guilt.

some responsibility

Shifts the focus from the feeling of guilt to the acceptance of responsibility.

a degree of contrition

Emphasizes sincere remorse and penitence for one's actions.

a shadow of guilt

Implies a lingering and perhaps less intense feeling of guilt.

a modicum of guilt

Indicates a small or moderate amount of guilt.

residual guilt

Focuses on the guilt that remains after an event or period.

FAQs

How can I use "a certain amount of guilt" in a sentence?

You can use "a certain amount of guilt" to describe a feeling of responsibility for something, for example: "After realizing her mistake, she felt "a certain amount of guilt"."

What are some alternatives to "a certain amount of guilt"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "some degree of guilt", "a measure of guilt", or "a feeling of culpability", each conveying a similar but slightly nuanced meaning.

Is it better to specify the amount of guilt rather than saying "a certain amount of guilt"?

It depends on the context. "A certain amount of guilt" is useful when you want to acknowledge the feeling without being precise. If the degree of guilt is known or important, use more specific language.

What's the difference between "a certain amount of guilt" and "a sense of remorse"?

"A certain amount of guilt" indicates a feeling of responsibility, while "a sense of remorse" implies deep regret and sorrow for one's actions. Remorse is generally a stronger emotion.