aggravating circumstances

USAGE SUMMARY

"aggravating circumstances" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in legal contexts or discussions about factors that increase the severity of a situation. For example, "The judge considered the aggravating circumstances before issuing the sentence." Alternative expressions include "mitigating factors" and "enhancing factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The multiple deaths and age of the babies reportedly killed with scissors are aggravating circumstances that warrant the death penalty, Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore said Wednesday.

The New York Times

The revised code calls for a possible minimum ban of four years if there are "aggravating circumstances," which would include being involved in doping schemes.

The New York Times - Sports

Another third involved what the researchers called "aggravating circumstances," like teenagers using pictures for blackmail or someone forwarding topless pictures of an ex after a breakup.

The New York Times - Science

Aggravating circumstances — like the use of a weapon, or harm inflicted on a child — can lead to orders of as much as five years.

The New York Times

Are there aggravating circumstances or are there mitigating circumstances?

Vice

Aggravating circumstances warrant higher levels of discipline, and Goodell's letter to Peterson spelled that out.

Huffington Post

Robbery with aggravating circumstances followed a similar trend, with an increase of 39.3% over the same period.

Vice

It's also the only state that permits a death sentence without requiring jurors to unanimously agree to the presence of statutorily defined aggravating circumstances.

Huffington Post

At the time, Alabama law allowed defendants to be sentenced to death only if they had committed murders in connection with at least one of several listed "aggravating circumstances".

The New York Times

In the short period from April 1492 to February 1494 they convicted 44 men for homosexual relations not involving violence or aggravating circumstances.

Wikipedia

Perhaps these are aggravating circumstances – to say the least.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aggravating circumstances" in legal or formal writing, ensure you clearly define which specific factors constitute the aggravating circumstances to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that any negative factor automatically qualifies as an "aggravating circumstance". It must significantly increase the severity or culpability related to the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aggravating circumstances" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies specific conditions or factors that increase the severity or culpability of an action or event, particularly in legal contexts, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aggravating circumstances" refers to factors that increase the severity of a situation, especially in legal and formal contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in legal settings and news reports. While not extremely frequent, its presence is notable in discussions about sentencing, disciplinary actions, and assessments of culpability. To ensure clarity, especially in formal documents, it’s crucial to specify the exact factors that qualify as "aggravating circumstances". The alternative phrases listed above offer a semantic variation, each focusing on slightly different nuances of worsening a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exacerbating factors

This alternative focuses on the idea of making a situation worse.

intensifying conditions

This phrase highlights the conditions that make a situation more intense.

worsening elements

This alternative emphasizes the elements that lead to a decline or deterioration.

complicating aspects

This phrase focuses on the aspects that add complexity and difficulty to a situation.

heightening factors

This alternative suggests that certain factors are increasing the severity of the situation.

unfavorable conditions

This describes the negative state of the situation.

negative elements

This is a generic way to refer to the bad parts of the scenario.

adverse conditions

This describes the negative state of the situation.

additional burdens

This highlights the weight or strain placed on a situation.

detrimental factors

These are the factors that cause harm.

FAQs

How does the presence of "aggravating circumstances" typically affect legal sentencing?

The presence of "aggravating circumstances" in a crime often leads to a harsher sentence. These circumstances can include factors like the use of a weapon, harm inflicted on a child, or a prior criminal record. They are weighed against mitigating circumstances to determine the final sentence.

What are some common examples of "aggravating circumstances" in criminal cases?

Common examples of "aggravating circumstances" include the use of a weapon during the commission of a crime, the vulnerability of the victim (such as a child or elderly person), the premeditation of the crime, and the defendant's prior criminal history.

How do "aggravating circumstances" differ from mitigating circumstances?

"Aggravating circumstances" are factors that increase the severity of a crime or offense, potentially leading to a harsher penalty. Mitigating circumstances, on the other hand, are factors that decrease the severity or culpability, potentially leading to a more lenient sentence. For example, youth or lack of prior criminal history may be considered "mitigating circumstances".

In what contexts, other than criminal law, might the term "aggravating circumstances" be used?

While most commonly used in criminal law, "aggravating circumstances" can also be used in other contexts where the severity of a situation needs to be assessed. For instance, in disciplinary proceedings within an organization, certain behaviors might be considered "aggravating circumstances" that warrant a more severe punishment.