criminal background

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminal background" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an individual's history related to criminal activity or legal issues. Example: "Before hiring new employees, the company conducts a thorough check of their criminal background to ensure safety in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

They said he had no criminal background.

The New York Times

She sailed through the criminal background check.

The New Yorker

License applicants are also subject to criminal background checks.

The New York Times

Applicants would be subject to criminal background checks.

The New York Times

Mr. Dinse also said, "his criminal background is very minor".

The New York Times

Reynolds did not come from a criminal background.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The research typically includes credit and criminal-background checks.

The New York Times

An Arkansas nursing license requires a criminal-background check.

The Washington Post

Outsiders would also have to pass criminal-background checks.

Los Angeles Times

Incarceration allows for housing discrimination based on criminal-background check.

Huffington Post

Nursing candidates must pass criminal-background checks before they are licensed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal documents or reports, specify the scope and depth of the "criminal background" check performed (e.g., local, national, international).

Common error

Do not assume that all "criminal background" checks provide the same level of detail. Some checks may only cover certain jurisdictions or types of offenses. Always verify the scope of the check.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal background" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing an individual's past involvement with the legal system.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "criminal background" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a person's history of legal infractions. Ludwig highlights its prevalence in various contexts, including news reports, legal assessments, and general discussions. While several alternatives exist, such as ""criminal history"" and ""prior convictions"", the specific choice depends on the intended nuance. Given the wide range of applications and readily available example sentences, "criminal background" remains a versatile and essential term in the English language. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal history

Replaces "background" with "history", focusing on the chronological aspect of past criminal activity.

previous criminal record

Combines "previous" to indicate past occurrence and "record" to denote documentation.

prior convictions

Specifies the existence of previous guilty verdicts or legal findings of guilt.

history of offenses

Highlights the pattern of past violations or transgressions.

offense history

Similar to "history of offenses" but more concise.

record of criminal activity

Emphasizes the documentation of past unlawful conduct.

record of unlawful acts

Focuses on the specific actions that violate the law.

criminal past

A more general and less formal term for previous criminal activity.

legal history

Expands the scope to include all legal matters, not exclusively criminal ones.

involvement with law enforcement

Describes the person's past interactions with police or legal authorities.

FAQs

How is "criminal background" checked?

A "criminal background" is typically checked through databases maintained by law enforcement agencies, like the FBI, using information such as name, date of birth, and fingerprints. The depth and scope can vary depending on the purpose and jurisdiction.

What information shows up on a "criminal background" check?

A "criminal background" check can reveal arrest records, convictions, pending criminal cases, and sometimes dismissed charges. The specifics depend on the type of check and the laws of the jurisdiction.

What are some alternatives to "criminal background"?

Alternatives include "criminal history", "prior convictions", "offense history" or "record of criminal activity", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Does a dismissed case show up on a "criminal background" check?

Whether a dismissed case appears on a "criminal background" check depends on the jurisdiction and the type of check performed. Some checks may include dismissed cases, while others only show convictions. Always verify the specifics with the agency conducting the check.