grounds for conviction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grounds for conviction" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to the basis or justification for a legal conviction. Example: "The jury found sufficient grounds for conviction based on the evidence presented during the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Both the hidden assets and the use of a false name, if true, would be grounds for conviction on a charge of graft.

The New York Times

Federal prosecutors acknowledged that Mr. Milan never did any favors for the mob, but said that under federal law, simply taking a bribe was grounds for conviction.

The New York Times

Judge J. L. Edmondson asked if the jurors in the original trial had been given alternate ways to convict Mr. Siegelman and Mr. Scrushy, and suggested that if some of those grounds for conviction had been invalidated, "that's problematic".

The New York Times

They ruled that the confession by his alleged co-conspirator Abd al-Nasser al-Khamaiseh was admissible evidence but insufficient grounds for conviction, even though Abu Qatada had been sentenced to death on the same evidence 14 years ago.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The grounds for his conviction that he is ill must also be established.

The Guardian - Books

Proof that an insider traded on secret information material to a stock's value has long been grounds for a conviction.

The New York Times

The European Court of Human Rights rejected his argument that French law on insider trading was not sufficiently clear to provide grounds for a conviction.

The Guardian - Business

From the beginning, Juror 9's attitude had been that the defendant had done the wrong thing, that he had almost certainly gotten involved in something risky and stupid, but that this alone was not grounds for a conviction.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's been a while since the mere possession of a downtown address has been grounds for a conviction that you're in on anything that's really worth being in on, now that the artists and hipsters have been replaced by day-trippers bearing Prada shopping bags and millionaires buying apartments — the kind of people who, in their search for edge, have erased any remaining traces of it.

The New Yorker

It's been a while since the mere possession of a downtown address has been grounds for a conviction that you're in on anything that's really worth being in on, now that the artists and hipsters have been replaced by day-trippers bearing Prada shopping bags and millionaires buying apartments the kind of people who, in their search for edge, have erased any remaining traces of it.

The New Yorker

However, where this level is set at zero, the presence of a drug's metabolites (not its effect on a person's ability to drive safely) is grounds for criminal conviction.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, use "grounds for conviction" to clearly indicate the specific reasons or evidence that justify a guilty verdict. Ensure the grounds are well-substantiated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "grounds for conviction" with "grounds for appeal". The former refers to the reasons supporting a guilty verdict, while the latter refers to reasons why a conviction should be overturned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grounds for conviction" functions as a noun phrase. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the factual or legal basis that supports a criminal conviction. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English, typically in legal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grounds for conviction" is a noun phrase used to denote the factual or legal basis supporting a criminal conviction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and typically used in legal contexts. While alternatives like "basis for conviction" or "reasons for conviction" exist, "grounds for conviction" maintains a specific legal connotation. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this phrase objectively describes evidence or reasons justifying a guilty verdict. Avoiding confusion with "grounds for appeal" and ensuring a well-substantiated basis are crucial for accurate and clear communication in legal discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Basis for conviction

Replaces "grounds" with "basis", focusing on the fundamental reason.

Justification for conviction

Substitutes "grounds" with "justification", emphasizing the legitimacy of the conviction.

Reasons for conviction

Uses "reasons" instead of "grounds", focusing on the specific causes leading to the conviction.

Legal basis for conviction

Adds "legal" to specify the formal, law-related foundation of the conviction.

Foundation for conviction

Replaces "grounds" with "foundation", highlighting the supporting elements.

Predicates for conviction

Uses "predicates" to indicate the necessary conditions for the conviction.

Valid reasons for conviction

Specifies that the reasons are "valid", implying legitimacy and soundness.

Legitimate grounds for conviction

Adds "legitimate" to emphasize the lawfulness of the reasons.

Evidence supporting conviction

Focuses on the "evidence" that provides the grounds for the conviction.

Cause for conviction

Replaces "grounds" with "cause", emphasizing the reason something happened.

FAQs

What does "grounds for conviction" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "grounds for conviction" refers to the sufficient reasons or evidence that justify a guilty verdict. It's the basis upon which a person is found guilty of a crime.

What are some "alternatives to" "grounds for conviction"?

You can use alternatives such as "basis for conviction", "justification for conviction", or "reasons for conviction" depending on the specific context.

Can weak evidence be considered "grounds for conviction"?

No, weak or insufficient evidence generally cannot be considered adequate "grounds for conviction". The evidence must be compelling and persuasive enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

How does "grounds for conviction" differ from "grounds for appeal"?

"Grounds for conviction" are the reasons supporting a guilty verdict, while "grounds for appeal" are the reasons why a conviction should be reviewed or overturned. They are essentially opposite concepts in the legal process.