clear from culpability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear from culpability" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that someone is free from blame or responsibility for a wrongdoing. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the court found the defendant clear from culpability in the case."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tebow, to a degree, is not exempt from culpability.

The New York Times - Sports

Mourinho, though, was clear where culpability lay for a shambolic display.

The Guardian - Sport

(Eldon's institutional clout shields him from culpability in a host of atrocities).

The New Yorker

Coe, a gold medallist in 1980 and 1984, is clear where culpability lies – and it's not with his organising committee.

The Guardian - Sport

This is not to absolve designers and stylists and photographers (and critics) from culpability for their choices.

The New York Times

The separation between war and peacetime law enforcement immunizes soldiers from culpability, so long as their acts comport with the rules of combat.

The New York Times

First, it distances Cohen from culpability — though, of course, he's still responsible for submitting a statement he knew to be untrue.

The Washington Post

But Brown is wrong to say that nothing has changed and that bankers continue to operate here with impunity from culpability for wrongdoing or recklessness.

The Guardian - Opinion

While Corbett maintains that being only 14 did not shield Brandon from culpability, he comes to understand that youth was an undeniable part of the mix.

The New York Times - Books

It's what we do to remove ourselves from culpability.

Forbes

It was clear from his….

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or formal contexts, use "clear from culpability" to emphasize the absence of legal or moral responsibility. Ensure that the context clearly supports this specific phrasing over more common alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "clear from culpability" in everyday conversation or informal writing. The phrase is quite formal and can sound unnatural outside of legal or serious contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear from culpability" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by indicating a state of being free from blame or responsibility. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is not commonly used and can be replaced by more common alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear from culpability" is a relatively uncommon but grammatically acceptable way to express the absence of blame or responsibility. As Ludwig AI suggests, while correct, it might sound awkward and should be used with care, primarily in formal or legal contexts. The phrase functions as a prepositional phrase, often employed to make a definitive statement about someone's innocence. More common alternatives include "exonerated from blame" or "free from guilt", which may provide greater clarity and naturalness in many situations. The phrase's formality makes it less suitable for casual conversation or informal writing. Top authoritative sources include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exonerated from blame

Suggests a formal clearing of accusations or wrongdoing.

Cleared of all charges

Emphasizes a complete absence of guilt or responsibility.

Free from guilt

Emphasizes the absence of moral or ethical wrongdoing.

Held blameless

Indicates a judgment of not being at fault.

Free from accountability

Highlights the lack of obligation to answer for actions or decisions.

Exempt from liability

Focuses on the legal aspect of being not responsible for something.

Not liable

A legal term indicating no legal responsibility.

Absolved of responsibility

Highlights the act of being formally cleared of duty or obligation.

Vindicated from suspicion

Implies that initial doubts have been proven unfounded.

Acquitted of charges

Specifies a legal setting where someone is found not guilty.

FAQs

How can I use "clear from culpability" in a sentence?

Use "clear from culpability" to indicate that someone has been found not responsible or guilty of a wrongdoing. For example, "After reviewing the evidence, the investigation found him "clear from culpability" in the matter".

What are some alternatives to "clear from culpability"?

Alternatives include "exonerated from blame", "free from guilt", or "absolved of responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "clear of culpability" instead of "clear from culpability"?

While both are grammatically possible, "clear from culpability" is slightly more common in formal contexts. However, alternatives such as "exonerated from blame" are generally preferred for clarity.

What is the difference between being "clear from culpability" and being "morally blameless"?

Being "clear from culpability" often refers to a legal or formal determination of innocence, whereas being "morally blameless" indicates an absence of moral fault, which can be a more subjective assessment. You could be "clear from culpability" in a legal sense but still face moral scrutiny.