be judged guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be judged guilty" is a correct phrase in English.
You can use it in a sentence when referring to a court ruling that someone has committed a crime or done something wrong. For example: The criminal was judged guilty of the crime and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

George Orwell once said of saints that they should be judged guilty until proven innocent.

The Guardian - Books

"Saints," wrote George Orwell, "should always be judged guilty until proved innocent".

The New York Times

But Orwell himself held that "saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent".

The New York Times - Books

Orwell wrote in his 1949 essay on Mahatma Gandhi, "Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent".

The New Yorker

George Orwell once wrote, with some wisdom, "Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proven innocent".

The New Yorker

The lawyer argued that the officer had thought he was following Army policy and thus could not be judged guilty of murder.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In a lurid afterpiece, he is judged guilty.

The Guardian

"I was judged guilty, not given a chance," Mrs. LoSecco said.

The New York Times

But the reality is still indefinite detention without charge for people who are judged guilty simply by association.

Independent

Mr Cruz was judged guilty of the rape and murder of a ten-year-old girl in 1983.

The Economist

Mr. Rafsanjani also suggested that Iran was being judged guilty by mere association with its fellow Shiites in Iraq.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be judged guilty", ensure the context clearly indicates the authority or basis upon which the judgment is made (e.g., a court of law, a regulatory body).

Common error

Avoid using "be judged guilty" in contexts where the judgment is based on personal opinion or unsubstantiated claims. Clearly differentiate between formal judgments and informal assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be judged guilty" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone has received a judgment of guilt. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be judged guilty" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to express a formal determination of culpability, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While "be judged guilty" is relatively uncommon, it is important to use it accurately, ensuring that the judgment is based on a clear authority or evidence and avoiding its application to mere opinions. Related phrases, such as "be found guilty" or "be convicted of", offer similar but nuanced ways to express the concept of being found responsible for an action or offense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be found guilty

Focuses on the act of finding someone responsible, similar to "be judged guilty".

Be proven guilty

Focuses on the aspect of proving guilt through evidence or trial.

Be convicted of

Implies a formal declaration of guilt in a court of law.

Face a guilty verdict

Highlights the verdict aspect rather than the judging part.

Be deemed responsible

Highlights the aspect of accountability and being held responsible.

Be held accountable

Emphasizes the aspect of being held responsible for one's actions.

Be considered guilty

Shifts focus to the consideration or perception of guilt.

Be declared culpable

Stresses the blameworthiness and culpability of the person.

Be liable for

Emphasizes the legal responsibility and potential consequences.

Be incriminated

Focuses on the act of incriminating someone, suggesting they are involved in wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "be judged guilty" in a sentence?

Use "be judged guilty" when referring to a formal determination of guilt. For example, "The defendant was judged guilty of fraud by the jury."

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

"Be judged guilty" implies a process of evaluation and decision, while "be found guilty" simply indicates the outcome of that process. They are often interchangeable but the former underlines the process.

Is it correct to say "be judged as guilty"?

While understandable, "be judged guilty" is more concise and grammatically preferred. The "as" is redundant.

What are some synonyms for "be judged guilty"?

Alternatives include "be convicted of", "be deemed responsible", or "be held accountable", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.