be guilty of all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be guilty of all" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express accountability or responsibility for multiple offenses or actions, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "If found guilty, he could be guilty of all charges brought against him."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"A great critic will be guilty of all of them".

The New Yorker

Since then, say the Indians, terrorist camps have reappeared in the part of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan, and the level of violence on India's side has returned to its former intensity.General Musharraf may not be guilty of all the charges against him.

The Economist

"All the greed that one kind of humanity could be guilty of, all the misery that another kind could suffer, have been the outcome of coal in the past fifty years".

Huffington Post

Al-Nashiri may well be guilty of all the charges against him, but it's noticeable that, at his tribunal in Guantánamo last year, he was one of only three "high-value detainees" (KSM and Abu Zubaydah were the others) to claim that he had made false allegations because he was tortured.

Huffington Post

He may be guilty of none of them, he may be guilty of all.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He was "disappointed" at events, but Saddam Hussein, he asserted, was "guilty of all charges".

Independent

Libyans are ready to believe that Gaddafi was guilty of all kinds of crimes, but that is not the same thing as evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Victor Arana, was guilty of all charges except one that accused him of failing to stay with his unit after the reservist, Lance Cpl.

The New York Times

He told Judge Rakoff that he was guilty of all eight charges in the indictment against him, which included conspiracy, securities and wire fraud and money laundering.

The New York Times

While Christians have been guilty of all of these, we, unlike Trump, acknowledge our sins, ask for forgiveness and seek restitution with the aid of the Holy Spirit and our community of believers," the editorial said.

The Washington Post

While Christians have been guilty of all of these, we, unlike Trump, acknowledge our sins, ask for forgiveness and seek restitution with the aid of the Holy Spirit and our community of believers.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "be guilty of all" with more precise alternatives that directly convey the intended meaning, such as "be responsible for everything" or "be accountable for all actions."

Common error

Avoid assuming that because each word in the phrase "be guilty of all" is grammatically correct, the entire phrase is also correct. Always consider the specific order and context to ensure the phrase is clear and grammatically sound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be guilty of all" functions as a predicate in a sentence, expressing culpability or responsibility for multiple actions or accusations. While Ludwig provides examples of its usage, it's important to note that Ludwig AI identifies it as not entirely correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be guilty of all" appears in various contexts, including news and academic sources, it is identified by Ludwig AI as not entirely correct in standard written English. It generally functions to assert comprehensive culpability. However, the phrase can often be improved for clarity and grammatical precision by using alternatives such as "be responsible for everything" or "be accountable for all actions". When writing, consider the specific context and choose the phrasing that most clearly and accurately conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be convicted of everything

Emphasizes a legal finding of guilt, differentiating from mere accusations.

be responsible for everything

Focuses on accountability for all actions or outcomes, rather than guilt specifically.

be accountable for all

Emphasizes the obligation to answer for all actions or results.

take responsibility for all

Emphasizes accepting accountability willingly, rather than being accused.

be held responsible for everything

Highlights the act of assigning responsibility, rather than inherent guilt.

answer for everything

Focuses on the need to explain and justify all actions.

be liable for all

Indicates legal responsibility for all aspects, differing from moral guilt.

be charged with all

Highlights formal accusations, differing from general culpability.

bear the brunt of everything

Highlights enduring the negative consequences of all aspects.

face all the consequences

Focuses on accepting the results of one's actions, removing the element of guilt.

FAQs

What does "be guilty of all" mean?

The phrase "be guilty of all" generally suggests someone is responsible for or has committed every offense or misdeed under consideration. However, "be responsible for everything" might be a clearer and more grammatically correct alternative.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be guilty of all"?

While not strictly ungrammatical, the phrase "be guilty of all" can sound awkward or unclear. It's often better to use more precise language like "be convicted of everything" if referring to legal charges, or "take responsibility for all" if indicating accountability.

Which is better, "be guilty of all" or "be guilty of all charges"?

"Be guilty of all charges" is generally better because it specifies what the person is guilty of, providing clarity. However, other options, like "face all the consequences" or "be held responsible for everything", might be even more suitable depending on the context.

How can I rephrase "be guilty of all" to sound more professional?

For a more professional tone, consider alternatives such as "be liable for all", "be accountable for all", or "answer for everything". The best choice will depend on the specific situation and the nuances you want to convey.