asserted his innocence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "asserted his innocence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is declaring or maintaining that they are not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, he firmly asserted his innocence during the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

One person close to Braun said Braun "asserted his innocence the way an innocent man would".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Milken has asserted his innocence of the civil charges.

The New York Times

Through his lawyer, Horowitz vehemently asserted his innocence.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Treffinger, on the other hand, adamantly asserted his innocence.

The New York Times

He has repeatedly asserted his innocence on those charges.

The New York Times

"So far, Mr. Martoma has defiantly asserted his innocence and refused to cooperate with prosecutors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

He continued to assert his innocence yesterday.

The New York Times

Mr. Snowden died asserting his innocence.

The New York Times

The defendant testified on his own behalf, asserting his innocence.

Cornell University

Mr. Cruz added: "My client asserts his innocence.

The New York Times

In appealing his 211-game suspension from Major League Baseball this week, Rodriguez was not asserting his innocence.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "asserted his innocence" with adverbs like "vehemently", "repeatedly", or "steadfastly" to emphasize the strength and consistency of the claim. For example, "He vehemently asserted his innocence, denying all the allegations."

Common error

Avoid using "asserted his innocence" in casual conversations or informal writing. The word "asserted" carries a formal tone and is more appropriate for legal, journalistic, or academic contexts. In everyday speech, simpler alternatives like "said he was innocent" or "claimed he didn't do it" are more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "asserted his innocence" functions as a declarative statement, typically used in legal or journalistic contexts. It indicates that someone has strongly stated their lack of guilt. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "asserted his innocence" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, particularly in journalistic and legal contexts. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It serves to formally declare one's lack of guilt. While alternatives like "maintained his innocence" and "proclaimed his innocence" exist, they carry slightly different connotations. When employing this phrase, it's best suited for contexts where a formal declaration is being made, avoiding overuse in casual conversation. Remember to consider the strength and consistency of the claim being made, and to use adverbs to emphasize the strength of the assertion when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained his innocence

Emphasizes consistency in claiming innocence over time.

proclaimed his innocence

Suggests a more public and forceful declaration of innocence.

declared his innocence

A formal statement of not being guilty.

professed his innocence

Highlights the sincerity or belief in one's own innocence.

affirmed his innocence

A firm and confident statement of innocence.

insisted on his innocence

Highlights persistence in claiming innocence despite doubt.

contended he was innocent

Presents innocence as an argument or point of contention.

avowed his innocence

Implies a solemn or emphatic declaration of innocence.

testified to his innocence

Refers to a formal statement, often in court, claiming innocence.

represented himself as innocent

Focuses on the image or persona the individual is projecting.

FAQs

How to use "asserted his innocence" in a sentence?

You can use "asserted his innocence" to describe someone who is declaring they are not guilty, such as, "Despite the evidence, the defendant "asserted his innocence"."

What can I say instead of "asserted his innocence"?

You can use alternatives like "maintained his innocence", "proclaimed his innocence", or "declared his innocence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "asserted his innocence" or "asserted of his innocence"?

"Asserted his innocence" is the correct phrasing. The preposition "of" is not needed.

What's the difference between "asserted his innocence" and "claimed he was innocent"?

"Asserted his innocence" is more formal and implies a strong, confident declaration. "Claimed he was innocent" is more neutral and can be used in a wider range of contexts.