guilty for

USAGE SUMMARY

"guilty for" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when talking about someone feeling responsible or being held accountable for some kind of wrongdoing, either real or perceived. example: He was charged and found guilty for the theft of company property.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I felt guilty for surviving".

The New York Times

"I felt guilty for a while.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It makes you guilty for being brown".

The New York Times

Anuj feels very guilty for calling her.

The Guardian

I remember feeling guilty for those people.

The Guardian - Arts

We can't really feel guilty for that.

The Guardian - Music

One almost feels guilty for questioning him.

The Guardian - Music

You can't hold them guilty for that.

The Guardian

I felt guilty for not practicing.

The New York Times

I felt guilty for demonizing him.

The New York Times

Actually I felt guilty for asking.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "guilty for" to express feelings of responsibility or culpability for a specific action or situation. It's often used to convey a personal sense of wrongdoing or accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "guilty to" instead of "guilty for". "Guilty for" correctly links the feeling of guilt with the reason or action causing it. Example: I feel guilty for not helping.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guilty for" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a subject to express a feeling of culpability or responsibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, it connects the feeling of guilt to a specific action or situation. Examples show its role in expressing personal regret or accountability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "guilty for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a feeling of responsibility, regret, or culpability, typically linked to a specific action or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in connecting a subjective feeling of guilt to a particular cause. While "guilty of" is used in legal contexts, "guilty for" conveys a personal sense of wrongdoing. It appears frequently in news media, scientific articles, and general discussions, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian using it regularly. To avoid misuse, remember that using "guilty to" is a common mistake.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

culpable for

Highlights legal or moral blameworthiness.

responsible for

Indicates a sense of duty or obligation for something that occurred.

liable for

Focuses on legal accountability.

blameworthy for

Emphasizes the deserving of blame.

accountable for

Stresses the obligation to answer for something.

remorseful for

Implies a feeling of deep regret and sorrow for a wrongdoing.

ashamed of

Indicates a feeling of disgrace or dishonor.

regretful about

Expresses sorrow or disappointment about something that has happened.

penitent for

Suggests sincere remorse and a desire to atone for past actions.

contrite about

Indicates a feeling of guilt and willingness to make amends.

FAQs

How to use "guilty for" in a sentence?

Use "guilty for" to connect the feeling of guilt to a specific cause or action. For instance, "I felt "guilty for not practicing"" or "She felt "guilty for being sick"".

What's the difference between "guilty for" and "guilty of"?

"Guilty of" typically refers to a legal or formal accusation (e.g., "He was found guilty of theft"), while "guilty for" often describes a personal feeling of responsibility or regret (e.g., "I feel "guilty for letting them down"").

What can I say instead of "guilty for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "responsible for", "culpable for", or "remorseful for" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "guilty for" grammatically correct?

Yes, "guilty for" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a feeling of responsibility or regret. However, ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning, distinguishing it from legal contexts where "guilty of" is more appropriate.