acquit him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acquit him" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legal context to indicate that someone has been found not guilty of a charge or accusation. Example: "After a lengthy trial, the jury decided to acquit him of all charges, allowing him to walk free."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now it must acquit him.

The New York Times

The jury votes unanimously to acquit him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet we, the jury, rightly acquit him.

The Guardian

He was sure, Draper writes, that "history would acquit him".

The New York Times - Books

She had voted to acquit him at the start of deliberations.

The New York Times

The jury had taken just under five hours to acquit him on all charges.

The Guardian

Gillies is a very likeable man, but I cannot quite acquit him of that charge.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The jury acquitted him.

The New York Times

A court later acquitted him.

The New York Times

However, the jury acquitted him.

Independent

And they acquitted him.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acquit him" when referring to a legal judgment where a person is formally declared not guilty. Be specific and avoid using it metaphorically.

Common error

Avoid using "acquit him" in contexts outside of legal or formal settings. For informal situations, use alternatives like "forgive him" or "excuse him" to maintain appropriate tone and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acquit him" functions as a verb phrase where "acquit" is the verb indicating the act of clearing someone of charges, and "him" is the pronoun referring to the person being acquitted. Ludwig provides many examples where it is used in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acquit him" is a common and grammatically correct expression primarily used in legal and news contexts to indicate that someone has been found not guilty. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. While very common in formal reporting, it should be avoided in informal settings where alternatives like "forgive him" might be more appropriate. Key alternatives include "exonerate him" and "find him not guilty".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exonerate him

Focuses on clearing someone from blame or wrongdoing, often after investigation.

Find him not guilty

Directly states the legal outcome of a trial where innocence is determined.

Clear him of all charges

Emphasizes the removal of all accusations against the individual.

Absolve him of responsibility

Highlights the removal of accountability for an action or event.

Vindicate him

Suggests proving someone's innocence after doubt or accusation.

Declare him innocent

Formal declaration of innocence, often by an authority.

Free him from blame

Emphasizes the release from any culpability or fault.

Release him from custody

Focuses on the physical act of freeing someone, often after legal proceedings.

Exempt him from penalty

Highlights the act of not applying a punishment or sanction.

Pardon him

Refers to an official act of forgiving a crime and canceling the penalty.

FAQs

How is "acquit him" used in a sentence?

The phrase "acquit him" is used to indicate that someone has been found not guilty of a crime or accusation. For example: "The jury voted to acquit him due to lack of evidence."

What's the difference between "acquit him" and "pardon him"?

"Acquit him" means to declare someone not guilty after a trial. "Pardon him" is an act of clemency, forgiving someone for a crime they were convicted of. You can use "pardon him" when someone is already found guilty.

What can I say instead of "acquit him"?

Alternatives to "acquit him" include "find him not guilty", "exonerate him", or "clear him of all charges" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "acquit him"?

It's appropriate to use "acquit him" when describing the outcome of a legal trial or proceeding where a defendant is found not guilty of the charges against them.