convicted criminal

USAGE SUMMARY

"convicted criminal" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who has been found guilty and convicted of a crime by a court of law. Example: The recent news report revealed that the company's new CEO was a convicted criminal, having served time in prison for embezzlement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's a convicted criminal.

The Washington Post

Now he is a convicted criminal.

The Economist

Guo Meimei is not a convicted criminal.

The Guardian

You're either a convicted criminal or you're not.

The Guardian - Opinion

As a convicted criminal, Mr. Navalny may be barred from the mayor's race.

The New York Times

Blankenship, a former coal executive and convicted criminal, has struggled to shed his bad reputation.

The New Yorker

Mr. Mirsky is a convicted criminal, and work is hard to find.

The New York Times

Brown was a convicted criminal and self-confessed member of a rival gang.

The Guardian

Among the questions: Must educators and administrators inform patients about a convicted criminal student's past?

The New York Times - Health

Immigration authorities almost immediately began trying to deport Mr. Lake as a convicted criminal.

The New York Times

He added that the prize, announced Friday, "shows disrespect for China's judicial system" because the recipient is a convicted criminal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the term "convicted criminal", be specific about the crime if relevant to the context, as this provides clarity and avoids generalization. For example, instead of just saying "convicted criminal", you might say "convicted of fraud" or "convicted of theft".

Common error

Be cautious about using "convicted criminal" to broadly describe someone without acknowledging potential rehabilitation or changes in their life. Consider the context and avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "convicted criminal" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically referring to an individual. Ludwig's examples show its common use in news reports and formal discussions about legal matters.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "convicted criminal" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone found guilty of a crime. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is straightforward and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news and media, with some presence in academic writing, the phrase serves to clearly identify an individual's legal status. While generally neutral, it is essential to use it responsibly, avoiding overgeneralization or perpetuating negative stereotypes. Alternatives like "felon" or "offender" may be suitable depending on the context, but "convicted criminal" remains a precise and often necessary term in legal and journalistic discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

felon

A more concise and informal term for someone convicted of a serious crime.

ex-convict

Specifically denotes someone who was previously convicted and has served their time.

offender

A broader term that includes anyone who has committed an offense, not necessarily resulting in a conviction.

former inmate

A neutral way to refer to someone who was previously incarcerated.

individual found guilty

A formal and legalistic way of saying "convicted criminal".

lawbreaker

Emphasizes the act of breaking the law, rather than the conviction itself.

person with a criminal record

A more formal and neutral way to refer to someone with a past conviction.

culprit

Suggests guilt but does not necessarily imply a formal conviction.

wrongdoer

A general term for someone who has done something wrong, not necessarily illegal.

inmate

Refers to someone currently incarcerated, implying they have been convicted of a crime.

FAQs

How is the phrase "convicted criminal" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "convicted criminal" is generally used as an adjective modifying a noun, such as "The "convicted criminal" was sentenced to five years in prison" or "The article discussed the challenges faced by "convicted criminals" upon release".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "convicted criminal"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "felon", "offender", "ex-convict", or "person with a criminal record".

Is it appropriate to use the term "convicted criminal" in formal writing?

Yes, "convicted criminal" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly in legal, journalistic, and academic contexts. However, always consider the potential impact and avoid using it in a way that is unnecessarily stigmatizing.

What's the difference between "convicted criminal" and "accused criminal"?

"Convicted criminal" refers to someone who has been found guilty of a crime in a court of law. "Accused criminal", on the other hand, refers to someone who has been charged with a crime but has not yet been proven guilty.