be found guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be found guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that a person has been determined to have committed a crime after a trial. Example: "After a lengthy trial, the jury decided that the defendant would be found guilty of all charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will he be found guilty?

The Economist

Both are likely to be found guilty.

The Economist

You were much more likely to be found guilty".

The New York Times - Books

Will she be found guilty of assaulting the policewoman?

The New York Times - Books

Disturbed enough to be found guilty but insane?

The New York Times

He said he was not surprised to be found guilty.

The Guardian

Yakub was the first to be found guilty.

The Guardian

If these accusations are true, Mr. Hurd could be found guilty of leaking insider information.

The New York Times

"They were expecting to be found guilty even though they are not," he said.

Independent

Lord Hanningfield is the sixth parliamentarian to be found guilty of expenses fraud.

Independent

"We are very confident he will finally be found guilty of murdering our sister".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be found guilty", ensure the subject is clearly identified, and the context indicates a legal or formal judgment. For instance: "The defendant will be found guilty if the evidence is compelling."

Common error

Avoid using "be found guilty" in contexts where the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The error caused the document to be found guilty of inaccuracies", a better phrasing might be "The error made the document inaccurate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be found guilty" functions as a passive construction indicating a legal judgment or determination of guilt. It's commonly used in news reports and legal documents, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

93%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be found guilty" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate a legal determination of guilt. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources, primarily in the News & Media category. Related phrases include ""be convicted"" and ""be judged guilty"", offering subtle differences in emphasis. When writing, it is important to use this phrase in appropriate contexts involving formal judgments, while also avoiding unnecessary passive voice constructions. Understanding the nuances of "be found guilty" ensures clarity and accuracy in legal and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be convicted

Focuses specifically on the legal declaration of guilt.

be judged guilty

Emphasizes the act of judgment in determining guilt.

be proven guilty

Highlights the aspect of evidence and verification of guilt.

be ruled guilty

Emphasizes a formal ruling or decision of guilt.

be declared guilty

Stresses the formal pronouncement of guilt.

be deemed guilty

Suggests a considered opinion or assessment leading to a guilty verdict.

be held liable

Shifts the context to legal responsibility rather than criminal guilt.

incur a guilty verdict

Focuses on the outcome of a trial or legal process.

face a guilty verdict

Highlights the possibility or likelihood of a guilty outcome.

be censured

Implies a formal reprimand or condemnation, which may or may not involve legal guilt.

FAQs

How is "be found guilty" used in a sentence?

It indicates a legal determination of guilt, as in, "The defendant will be found guilty if the prosecution proves their case".

What phrases are similar to "be found guilty"?

Alternatives include "be convicted", "be judged guilty", or "be proven guilty", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was found guilty"?

Yes, "was found guilty" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct. For example, "He was found guilty of all charges".

What's the difference between "be found guilty" and "be held liable"?

"Be found guilty" typically refers to criminal offenses, while "be held liable" relates to civil matters and financial or other responsibilities.