cleared of arson

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleared of arson" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when stating that someone or something has been exonerated or found not guilty of committing arson. Example: "After a thorough investigation, the suspect was cleared of arson and released from custody."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Wood was cleared of arson.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Willingham's conviction was based heavily on testimony by the Texas state fire marshal, who asserted that the scene offered clear signs of arson.

The New York Times

Council leader John Cotton told the BBC: "We believe it to be the result of arson, though that's not clear at the moment".

BBC

The dispute in Oregon relates to two local ranchers, father and son Dwight and Steven Hammond, who were convicted of arson on federal land (they say they were clearing the land of invasive species to graze their cattle).

The Guardian

Charges of arson followed.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was convicted of arson.

The New Yorker

Investigators found no evidence of arson.

The New York Times

James Ward was convicted of arson in 2006.

The Guardian - Opinion

By 1992, there had been several serious accounts of arson.

The New York Times

They each face two counts of felony murder, 45 counts of arson, and charges of conspiracy to commit arson.

The New York Times

The jury also found Mr. Alvarez guilty of arson.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "cleared of arson", ensure that there is a clear indication of the authority or process that led to the exoneration, such as a court of law or an official investigation.

Common error

Avoid using "cleared of arson" when the situation is more accurately described as a lack of evidence. "Cleared" implies a degree of certainty and formal exoneration, not just an absence of proof.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared of arson" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that an individual or entity has been officially exonerated from the accusation or suspicion of committing the crime of arson. As per Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The single exact example in Ludwig indicates this meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cleared of arson" is a descriptive phrase indicating that someone has been officially exonerated from the crime of arson. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Its primary function is to report on legal outcomes or investigative findings, and it typically appears in neutral contexts such as news reports. While not a very common phrase, "cleared of arson" conveys important information about an individual's exoneration, and there are several alternative phrases with slightly different connotations, such as "acquitted of arson" or "exonerated of arson".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exonerated of arson

Uses a more formal synonym for "cleared", maintaining the same structure and meaning.

acquitted of arson

Indicates a formal legal finding of not guilty, similar to "cleared".

found not guilty of arson

States the legal outcome directly, replacing "cleared" with a more explicit phrase.

absolved of arson

Implies forgiveness or release from blame, similar to being cleared.

vindicated of arson

Suggests that the person's innocence has been proven, a stronger form of being cleared.

exculpated of arson

A formal term meaning to show that someone is not guilty of wrongdoing.

declared innocent of arson

Emphasizes the declaration of innocence, highlighting the legal aspect.

had arson charges dropped

Focuses on the dismissal of the charges rather than the person's status.

proven innocent of arson

Indicates a definitive demonstration of innocence, going beyond just being cleared.

charges of arson dismissed

Shifts the focus to the charges being removed, implying the person is no longer accused.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "cleared of arson"?

To be "cleared of arson" means that a person who was suspected or accused of intentionally setting a fire has been formally exonerated and found not guilty, often through a legal process or investigation.

What's the difference between being "acquitted of arson" and being "cleared of arson"?

While both terms suggest innocence, "acquitted" specifically refers to a legal verdict in court, whereas "cleared" can encompass a broader range of situations, including internal investigations or withdrawn accusations where a formal trial may not have occurred.

Can I use "exonerated of arson" instead of "cleared of arson"?

Yes, "exonerated of arson" is a suitable substitute. It's a more formal way of saying someone has been officially cleared of blame or wrongdoing related to arson.

What should I do if someone is wrongly accused of arson?

If someone is wrongly accused of arson, it is important to seek legal counsel immediately, gather any evidence that supports their innocence, and cooperate fully with any investigations to help get them "cleared of the charges".