elicit a conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "elicit a conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of drawing out or provoking a strong belief or opinion from someone. Example: "The lawyer aimed to elicit a conviction from the jury by presenting compelling evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Prosecutors conceded that Mr. McNamee was a flawed witness but said that they had enough corroboration of his story to elicit a conviction.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Such tactics elicited an immediate response.

The New Yorker

Other senators asked Holder to, essentially, guarantee a conviction, eliciting one of his more cinematic answers: Failure is not an option.

The New Yorker

"Both of these cases demonstrate that Miranda was not at all an impediment" to winning a conviction and eliciting intelligence during an initial interrogation, respectively, Mr. Brennan said.

The New York Times

"We want a conviction.

The New York Times

"I am a conviction politician".

The New York Times

There will be a conviction.

Independent

A conviction could carry the death penalty.

The New York Times

He did not have a conviction overturned.

The New York Times

It must be a conviction cabinet".

The Economist

But a conviction was far from certain.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "elicit a conviction", ensure your evidence and arguments are clearly linked to the specific elements required for a guilty verdict. Don't rely on emotional appeals alone.

Common error

Avoid presenting a case built solely on circumstantial evidence when trying to "elicit a conviction". Strong direct evidence is generally more persuasive to juries.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "elicit a conviction" functions as a verb phrase, where "elicit" is the verb and "a conviction" is the direct object. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used correctly in written English. The verb "elicit" means to evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one's own actions or questions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "elicit a conviction" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, primarily found in news and legal contexts, meaning to successfully present a case that leads to a guilty verdict. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in professional discussions of law and justice. While alternatives like "secure a guilty verdict" or "obtain a conviction" exist, this phrase focuses on the persuasive process involved. When using the term, remember the importance of clear evidence and arguments, avoiding over-reliance on circumstantial evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

secure a guilty verdict

Focuses on the outcome of the legal process, the verdict itself.

obtain a conviction

Emphasizes the act of getting or achieving a conviction.

win a conviction

Highlights the success or victory in achieving a conviction.

achieve a conviction

Similar to obtain, but suggests a planned effort to get a conviction.

ensure a conviction

Focuses on guaranteeing or making certain that a conviction is reached.

procure a conviction

A more formal or legalistic way of saying to obtain a conviction.

extract a guilty plea

Implies getting a confession or admission of guilt from the defendant.

persuade to convict

Highlights the act of convincing someone to vote for a guilty verdict.

influence toward conviction

Focuses on the subtle impact on decision-makers to lean towards a guilty verdict.

sway towards a guilty decision

Highlights a strong suggestive effect on a decision-maker.

FAQs

How can I use "elicit a conviction" in a sentence?

You can use "elicit a conviction" to describe the act of presenting evidence or arguments in a way that leads to a guilty verdict. For example, "The prosecutor aimed to "secure a guilty verdict" by showing irrefutable evidence".

What does "elicit a conviction" mean in legal terms?

"Elicit a conviction" refers to the process of presenting a case in court with the goal of obtaining a guilty verdict from the jury or judge. It involves presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, and making arguments that persuade the decision-makers to find the defendant guilty.

Are there alternative phrases to "elicit a conviction"?

Yes, some alternatives include "obtain a conviction", "win a conviction", or "achieve a conviction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "elicit a conviction" and "secure a conviction"?

While similar, "elicit a conviction" focuses on the process of presenting a case to obtain a guilty verdict, while "secure a guilty verdict" emphasizes the outcome of successfully obtaining that verdict.