find an alibi

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "find an alibi" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving criminal investigations or situations where someone needs to provide proof of their whereabouts to avoid suspicion. Example: "The detective advised him to find an alibi for the night of the incident to strengthen his case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Now, as Alex once wrote, "It's your turn to find an alibi for the imagination".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

No sooner have they caught the notorious serial killer dubbed the Night Creeper than he finds an alibi, is poisoned, gets hijacked from the ambulance and vanishes with his kidnappers.

The Guardian - Books

Then, when a handful of demonstrators finally began to act as viciously as the riot police the Minister of the Interior triumphantly, after three weeks, found an alibi: it was all the work of "provocateurs". He played too on the snobbery which mistrusts those who wear leather jackets: I met some of them; decent young workers who have even more reason to demonstrate than the students.

The Guardian

Critics have said that the devices, for all their convenience, have ushered in an era of Big Brother, but they have nonetheless become useful in legal proceedings, whether to prove or undermine an alibi, find a missing person or even track a cheating spouse.

The New York Times

But blaming Germany for what is happening in Greece is an easy alibi that does not correspond to reality... Merkel really tried to find a solution.

Huffington Post

Get an alibi.

WikiHow

Like, we find out Asia McClean has an alibi, and then you find and interview Asia, her boyfriend and her boyfriend's friend, Jerad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

UN investigators were reported in 2010 to have found this alibi unlikely, but Mr Hariri's son Saad said he had always had full confidence in Mr Hassan.

BBC

And so it was, at the scene of the current crime, that "Bling Ring" star Emma Watson -- the onetime Hermione Granger of the "Harry Potter" series -- found herself coming up with an alibi in the Chopard heist, telling the Hollywood Reporter, "I promise it wasn't me...

Los Angeles Times

Hicks, who said he plans to call Obioha's mother as an alibi witness, said the gun found at the beach was not the murder weapon.

Los Angeles Times

After the police accuse him of murdering his neighbor, Tom tries to use his weekly visits to Margit's apartment as an alibi, only to find out that she hasn't lived at this address for the past 15 years.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "find an alibi", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the alibi is being genuinely discovered or fabricated. The term itself doesn't inherently imply deception.

Common error

The phrase "find an alibi" does not automatically mean someone is guilty. It simply means they are seeking proof of their whereabouts. Avoid using the phrase in a way that prematurely suggests guilt without supporting evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "find an alibi" functions as a verbal phrase, where "find" is the verb and "an alibi" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is generally correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "find an alibi" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of locating or creating proof of one's whereabouts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally correct, although the context determines whether it implies innocence or deception. While versatile, it appears most frequently in news and media, maintaining a neutral tone. Related phrases like "establish an alibi" can offer subtle shifts in meaning. Be mindful of the implications to avoid misinterpretations, particularly the assumption of guilt. It's important to remember that using the phrase does not automatically indicate someone is guilty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish an alibi

Focuses on the act of creating or setting up an alibi, rather than just finding one.

secure an alibi

Emphasizes the effort to make an alibi certain and protected from scrutiny.

arrange an alibi

Highlights the planning and coordination involved in setting up an alibi.

invent a cover story

Shifts the focus to creating a fabricated explanation to conceal the truth.

fabricate an alibi

Specifically denotes the creation of a false alibi.

devise a pretext

Emphasizes inventing a reason or excuse to justify one's actions.

manufacture an excuse

Highlights the artificiality of the reason being provided.

come up with a story

Suggests creating a narrative, which may or may not be entirely truthful.

contrive a reason

Focuses on skillfully creating a reason, implying some level of planning.

dream up a justification

Suggests creating a reason, often implying creativity and imagination.

FAQs

How is "find an alibi" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "find an alibi" refers to the process of locating or establishing evidence that proves a suspect was elsewhere when a crime occurred. This evidence can be crucial for proving innocence.

What are some alternatives to "find an alibi"?

Alternatives include "establish an alibi", "secure an alibi", or "arrange an alibi". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "find an alibi" more formal or informal?

"Find an alibi" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings, although more formal contexts might prefer "establish an alibi".

What's the difference between "find an alibi" and "create an alibi"?

"Find an alibi" suggests discovering existing evidence or witnesses, while "create an alibi" implies fabricating or constructing a false account. The former is about uncovering truth, the latter about deception.