assertion of innocence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "assertion of innocence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is declaring or stating that they are not guilty of a particular accusation or wrongdoing. Example: "In his defense, he made a strong assertion of innocence, claiming he was not at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He reiterated his blanket assertion of innocence, saying he would remain in Canada "until everything is completely resolved to my absolute satisfaction".

The New York Times

Possibly; or possibly it is an assertion of innocence, native desire unmediated by morality or manners, like Papageno in The Magic Flute, which sits so clearly in this tradition.

The Guardian - Books

PAGE A15 New York CONVICTED QAEDA AGENT SEEKS RETRIAL IN '95 CASE More than 15 years after El-Sayyid A. Nosair was convicted of seditious conspiracy and of murdering Rabbi Meir Kahane, a dispute has erupted over Mr. Nosair's claim that prosecutors improperly blocked his trial lawyers from gaining access to a witness who he says would have supported his assertion of innocence.

The New York Times

There, packaged carefully inside the assertion of innocence, was a statement at least open to interpretation of being more insidious: why, Cashman may have been asking, should Jeter be immune when most great Yankees were forced to make positional switches late in their careers?

The New York Times - Sports

Fifteen: It's just the age at which a barely-there short skirt can be interpreted as a brazen come-on or a defiant assertion of innocence, as if the tenderness of the wearer's age should protect her against the threat of voyeurism.

The New York Times

Citing J.L. Austin, Walzer remarks that "the two can seem to come very close together…but they are conceptually distinct…an excuse is typically an admission of fault; a justification is typically a denial of fault and an assertion of innocence" (Walzer 1973, 170; Walzer 1974, 72).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Microsoft's continued assertions of innocence were one reason for his ruling, he said.

The New York Times

However, prime minister Theresa May said the British would not follow suit, relying instead on Saudi assertions of innocence.

The Guardian - Opinion

One parole board commissioner, Sean McSherry, challenged Mr. Santana to square his assertions of innocence with an admission of guilt, on videotape, with his father sitting in the room.

The New York Times

Families of other prisoners from other countries have made similar assertions of innocence about their sons, but there has been no corroboration from Americans.

The New York Times

What pours out is a stream of anger at the US justice system, defiant assertions of innocence, desperation not to be forgotten back home in Britain.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "assertion of innocence", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is making the assertion and what they are being accused of. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "assertion of innocence" without specifying the accusation or the party involved. An isolated assertion lacks context and weakens the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "assertion of innocence" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause, describing the act of claiming to be not guilty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "assertion of innocence" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to declare a lack of guilt. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical soundness and common usage. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register that makes it suitable for various audiences. Alternative phrases include "claim of innocence" and "declaration of innocence". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the accused and the accusation for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

claim of innocence

Replaces "assertion" with "claim", a more common and slightly less formal synonym.

declaration of innocence

Substitutes "assertion" with "declaration", emphasizing a formal and explicit statement.

insistence on innocence

Replaces "assertion" with "insistence", stressing the firmness of the claim.

professed innocence

Uses "professed" to highlight the act of claiming innocence, sometimes implying doubt.

maintenance of innocence

Highlights the continuous and ongoing declaration of being innocent.

denial of guilt

Focuses on negating guilt rather than affirming innocence, shifting the perspective slightly.

avowal of innocence

Replaces "assertion" with "avowal", implying a solemn and sincere declaration.

plea of not guilty

A legal term specifically used in court, indicating a formal denial of charges.

vindication plea

Focuses on seeking justification and clearance from blame.

exculpatory statement

An formal statement that clears or tends to clear from alleged fault or guilt.

FAQs

What does "assertion of innocence" mean?

The phrase "assertion of innocence" refers to a declaration or statement made by someone claiming they are not guilty of a particular accusation or wrongdoing.

How can I use "assertion of innocence" in a sentence?

You can use "assertion of innocence" in a sentence like: "Despite the overwhelming evidence, the defendant maintained his "assertion of innocence"".

What can I say instead of "assertion of innocence"?

You can use alternatives like "claim of innocence", "declaration of innocence", or "denial of guilt" depending on the context.

Is "assertion of innocence" a formal phrase?

"Assertion of innocence" is a relatively formal phrase. In less formal contexts, "claim of innocence" might be more appropriate.