bail

USAGE SUMMARY

"bail" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used in the context of legal proceedings, as a noun, to refer to a payment or surety (often money) made by a person accused of a crime in order to secure their release from custody until the trial. For example, "The defendant was released on bail of £500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before adjourning for sentencing, Judge Timothy Pontius said: "I emphasise very firmly that the fact I'm releasing you on bail should not serve as any sort of indication of what the sentence will be".

The Guardian

It's been expensive to bail out the banks, but as Lehman Brothers demonstrated, it would have been far more costly to let them go under.

The Economist

She was released on bail after two months but was rearrested in January after posting a video on YouTube describing how prison guards mistreated her physically while she was in jail.

The Guardian

The presumption for or against bail can be displaced by evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Abbott has his way, that sentiment is going to be harnessed by the government to introduce laws which will cut down basic civil liberties, in particular by restricting bail and enlarging Asio's powers to spy on the public at large by use of electronic data.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is not whether to bail out Greece yet again.

The Guardian - Opinion

He told Gardaí he had no fixed abode, but the judge listed the necessity to provide an address as one of his bail conditions.

The Guardian

Nadir is on £250,000 bail ahead of his 3 September court hearing and is due to be fitted with an electronic tag as part of court-imposed conditions agreed before he decided to return to face trial.

The Guardian - Business

The voters' insurrection affected both those countries in financial meltdown and those having to stump up to bail them out and save the euro.

The Guardian - Business

Sergio Agüero and Yaya Touré cannot always bail City's defenders out.

The Guardian - Sport

This has, in recent days, been dismissed by Kenny's minister of finance, Michael Noonan, although another minister in the government did speak out of turn last week and indicate that a bail was possibly on the cards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bail" in legal contexts, ensure you specify whether you are referring to the security deposit, the act of releasing someone on bail, or the condition of being released.

Common error

Avoid using "bail" loosely to mean simply "help" or "rescue" in non-financial contexts. While related, the core meaning involves legal or monetary security.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bail" is a noun, referring to the security exchanged for the release of an arrested person. It also functions as a verb, meaning to secure the release by providing bail. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "bail" is commonly used in various contexts, primarily within legal, financial, and sports-related discussions. Ludwig AI confirms that "bail" functions grammatically as both a noun and a verb, serving to describe legal release or financial assistance. Its usage ranges from neutral reporting in news media to formal contexts in business and legal documentation. Understanding its nuances, especially the difference between legal and financial applications, is crucial for clear communication. The frequent appearance of "bail" in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its significance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

release on bond

Focuses specifically on the legal mechanism of release through a financial guarantee.

financial guarantee for release

Emphasizes the financial aspect of securing someone's release from custody.

surety bond

Highlights the type of bond used as a guarantee for court appearance.

jump bail

Implies failing to appear in court after being released on bail, altering the core meaning.

provide collateral for release

Focuses on providing assets as security for release from custody.

rescue from difficulty

Shifts the meaning to extricating someone from a problematic situation, broadly related to assistance.

extricate from trouble

Similar to "rescue", highlighting the removal from a difficult situation.

fund a rescue

Focuses on the financial aspect of saving a person or entity.

financial assistance

Broadens the scope to general monetary support, less specific than "bail".

monetary relief

Similar to financial assistance, emphasizing alleviation of financial burden.

FAQs

How is "bail" used in a legal context?

"Bail" in a legal context refers to the security, typically money, provided to ensure an arrested person attends their trial. It can also refer to the act of releasing someone under this condition. For example, "The suspect was granted "release on bond" pending trial".

What are some alternatives to "bail" in a financial context?

In a financial context, particularly when discussing rescuing a company or country, alternatives to "bail" include phrases such as "financial assistance", "monetary relief", or "fund a rescue".

What does it mean to "jump bail"?

"Jump bail" means to fail to appear in court after being released on bail. It's a serious offense that results in forfeiting the "surety bond" and potentially facing additional charges.

What is the difference between "bail" and a "bond"?

While often used interchangeably, "bail" refers to the security provided for release, whereas a "bond" is the actual financial guarantee ensuring the person's appearance in court. A "surety bond" acts as collateral.