a guilty conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a guilty conscience" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a feeling of guilt due to some wrongdoing. For example, "He had a guilty conscience after lying to his boss about why he was late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Priebus says that shows "a guilty conscience".

The New York Times

"I don't have a guilty conscience.

Independent

A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps he has a guilty conscience.

The Guardian - Opinion

And almost everybody has a guilty conscience.

The New York Times - Arts

He had suffered a guilty conscience ever since.

The Economist

Martinez is a man with a guilty conscience.

The Economist

"THIS paper is the manifestation of a guilty conscience".

The Economist

So maybe he's intrigued out of a guilty conscience.

The Guardian - Arts

The tech giant may have a guilty conscience.

MIT Technology Review

The lay preacher in Dent suffered from a guilty conscience.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a guilty conscience" to describe the internal feeling of remorse after doing something wrong. It often implies a moral conflict or a sense of responsibility for negative consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a guilty conscience" when someone is simply experiencing regret or sadness without necessarily being responsible for a moral transgression. Ensure there is a clear link to a specific act of wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a guilty conscience" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of mind characterized by feelings of guilt and remorse. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples from various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a guilty conscience" is a very common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the feeling of remorse resulting from a wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently found in News & Media and is used to express moral unease. When using the phrase, ensure it appropriately reflects a feeling of responsibility for a transgression, rather than simple regret. Alternatives such as "a troubled conscience" or "feelings of culpability" can offer nuanced shades of meaning. Remember that a key aspect of the phrase is the implication of inner torment, as indicated by the proverb "a guilty conscience needs no accuser."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a troubled conscience

Focuses on the internal disturbance caused by guilt.

a pricked conscience

Emphasizes a sharp, sudden feeling of guilt.

a remorseful feeling

Highlights the feeling of deep regret and sorrow for wrongdoing.

feelings of culpability

Directly addresses the sense of being responsible for something wrong.

moral scruples

Refers to moral or ethical considerations that cause hesitation or guilt.

a burden of guilt

Emphasizes the heavy weight of feeling guilty.

a sense of wrongdoing

Focuses on the awareness of having acted improperly or unethically.

a weight on one's soul

Uses metaphorical language to describe the burden of guilt.

compunction

A formal term for a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.

pangs of conscience

Refers to sudden, sharp feelings of guilt or regret.

FAQs

How can I use "a guilty conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "a guilty conscience" to describe someone feeling remorse after doing something wrong. For example, "He couldn't sleep because he had "a guilty conscience" about lying to his friend."

What's a good alternative to "a guilty conscience"?

Alternatives include "a troubled conscience", "feelings of culpability", or "a burden of guilt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have a guilty conscience" or "has a guilty conscience"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "have a guilty conscience" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They have "a guilty conscience"") while "has a guilty conscience" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He has "a guilty conscience"").

What does it mean to say that "a guilty conscience needs no accuser"?

This proverb means that when someone knows they have done wrong, their own guilt is enough to torment them; no external accusation is necessary. It implies that inner turmoil is a sufficient punishment.