a questionable conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a questionable conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a belief or judgment that is uncertain or open to doubt, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "The defendant's guilt was based on a questionable conviction that lacked solid evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But during an investigation into a questionable conviction, the Cook County state's attorney turned her attention instead on Mr. Protess and his students.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Lindbergh affair, with its lurid publicity and questionable conviction of Bruno Hauptmann, seethes with ambiguity: a quality grand opera is ill equipped to handle.

The New York Times - Arts

His questionable conviction, and earlier reports that Mr. Mubarak might be released from the hospital because of his health, became a major issue in the runoff to succeed him.

The New York Times

The oldest is Ward (McConaughey), an investigative journalist of some acclaim at the Miami Times who has come home to dig into Hillary's questionable conviction.

Los Angeles Times

This week Mr. Hynes, after a long investigation by a unit that he created to look into questionable convictions, plans to ask a state judge to release the prisoner.

The New York Times

Since then, Mr. Hynes has created a special unit to investigate questionable convictions.

The New York Times

A review by The New York Times showed that the detective played a key role in other questionable convictions.

The New York Times

But in granting the reprieve -- his first in five years -- Mr. Bush was plainly hoping to appeal to moderate voters for whom Texas' troubling pattern of questionable convictions and executions could pose an issue in the fall.

The New York Times

A former Brooklyn federal prosecutor, Kenneth Thompson, who is running against Mr. Hynes in the Democratic primary, wrote a letter to the governor on Wednesday asking him to use his authority under the state's executive law to appoint the attorney general or a special prosecutor to review Mr. Scarcella's cases and other questionable convictions.

The New York Times

Mr. Hynes, a six-term district attorney, was in office when many of the questionable convictions occurred.

The New York Times

That issue was resolved this year with a plan to review past arson cases to see whether similar faulty evidence led to questionable convictions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a questionable conviction", ensure that the context provides some indication of why the conviction is being questioned. This could involve mentioning specific flaws in the evidence, procedural errors, or potential biases.

Common error

Avoid using "a questionable conviction" without providing any supporting details or context. Simply labeling a conviction as "questionable" without explanation can weaken your argument and make it seem like you are making unsubstantiated claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a questionable conviction" functions as a noun phrase where "questionable" modifies the noun "conviction". It's used to describe a specific type of legal judgment, expressing doubt or uncertainty about its validity. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a questionable conviction" effectively conveys doubt about the validity of a legal judgment, and according to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase is neutrally registered and often prompts further scrutiny of the legal process. While seemingly straightforward, the strength of this expression lies in clearly articulating why the conviction is questionable, by pointing at evidence or procedural flaws. Understanding the best practices and most common errors outlined above will ensure that you are using "a questionable conviction" with precision and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a dubious conviction

Replaces "questionable" with "dubious", suggesting a stronger sense of doubt or suspicion about the conviction's validity.

a suspect conviction

Uses "suspect" to imply that the conviction is likely to be flawed or unreliable.

a flawed conviction

Highlights the presence of errors or defects in the process or evidence that led to the conviction.

a disputed conviction

Similar to controversial, but suggests a more direct challenge to the conviction's legitimacy.

a controversial conviction

Emphasizes the disagreement and debate surrounding the conviction, rather than its inherent validity.

an unreliable conviction

Focuses on the lack of dependability and trustworthiness of the conviction.

a shaky conviction

Suggests that the conviction is based on weak or unreliable evidence.

a challengeable conviction

Highlights the possibility and grounds for contesting the conviction in court or through other legal means.

a wrongful conviction

Asserts that the conviction is unjust and based on a mistake, rather than simply being doubtful.

a legally unsound conviction

Emphasizes that the conviction may not align with legal principles or standards.

FAQs

How can I use "a questionable conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "a questionable conviction" to describe a legal judgment that is uncertain or open to doubt. For example: "The journalist investigated "a questionable conviction" based on circumstantial evidence."

What are some alternatives to "a questionable conviction"?

Alternatives include "a dubious conviction", "a suspect conviction", or "a flawed conviction" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a questionable conviction" in formal writing?

Yes, "a questionable conviction" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing legal or ethical matters. However, ensure that you provide context and evidence to support your claim that the conviction is indeed questionable.

What distinguishes "a questionable conviction" from "a wrongful conviction"?

"A questionable conviction" suggests uncertainty or doubt about the validity of the conviction, whereas "a wrongful conviction" implies that the conviction is definitely unjust and based on a mistake. The latter carries a stronger assertion of error.