guilty for that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guilty for that" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would be "guilty of that." Example: "He was found guilty of that crime after a lengthy trial."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

We can't really feel guilty for that.

The Guardian - Music

You can't hold them guilty for that.

The Guardian

"I still feel guilty for that.

Vice

They ripped this institution apart, and will forever be guilty for that.

Vice

I just want to make sure Muslim people don't feel they have to be guilty for that.

Vice

"The church is guilty for that as well — there is no other way to say it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

By contrast, Mr. al Nalfi wrote that it was "fitting" for him to plead guilty "for actions that were ultimately directed against a country that I admired, and a people whose help to my country was for all to see during the famine that befell Sudan during the Reagan presidency".

The New York Times

I wondered a little while reading how it could even occur to him to feel guilty for something that had happened in a split second in the midst of a struggle, for something that couldn't possibly have been planned.

The New Yorker

"I am guilty for everything that has happened," she said through tears during the interview.

The New York Times

The conspiracy charge against Mr. Padilla, Professor Margulies continued, "is highly amorphous, and it basically allows someone to be found guilty for something that is one step away from a thought crime".

The New York Times

As Prof. Peter S. Margulies of the Roger Williams University law school perceptively told The Times after Mr. Padilla's conviction, the way the statute is being interpreted "basically allows someone to be found guilty for something that is one step away from a thought crime".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "guilty of" instead of "guilty for". The preposition "of" is the correct grammatical choice when indicating what someone is guilty of.

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "guilty". While it might sound correct, the standard and grammatically accepted form is "guilty of". Using "for" can make your writing appear less polished and professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guilty for that" functions as a prepositional phrase, aiming to express culpability or responsibility. However, it deviates from standard English grammar. As Ludwig highlights, the correct form is "guilty of that".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "guilty for that" appears in some online contexts, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct and accepted form is "guilty of that". As Ludwig AI indicates, using the correct preposition "of" is crucial for clear and accurate communication. While the intent is generally understood, adhering to standard English grammar enhances credibility and professionalism in writing. Alternatives such as "responsible for that" or "accountable for that" may also be appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guilty of that

Uses the correct preposition "of" instead of "for" to indicate the object of guilt.

responsible for that

Replaces "guilty" with "responsible", indicating accountability without necessarily implying wrongdoing.

culpable for that

Substitutes "guilty" with "culpable", a more formal term for deserving blame.

accountable for that

Replaces "guilty" with "accountable", highlighting the obligation to answer for the action.

to blame for that

Uses the idiom "to blame" to indicate responsibility for a negative outcome.

liable for that

Employs "liable", suggesting a legal or financial responsibility.

at fault for that

Indicates that someone's mistake caused something to happen.

deserving of blame for that

Emphasizes that someone's actions merit criticism or censure.

deserving of censure for that

Similar to "deserving of blame" but suggests a more formal expression of disapproval.

reprehensible in that regard

Uses "reprehensible" to indicate that something is deserving of strong condemnation.

FAQs

What is the correct preposition to use after "guilty"?

The correct preposition to use after "guilty" is "of". For example, you should say "He is "guilty of the crime"" instead of "guilty for the crime".

What can I say instead of "guilty for that"?

The grammatically correct alternative to "guilty for that" is "guilty of that". Other alternatives, depending on the context, include "responsible for that" or "accountable for that".

Is "guilty for that" grammatically correct?

No, "guilty for that" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "guilty of that".

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

"Guilty for that" is grammatically incorrect. The correct expression is "guilty of that", where "of" indicates the thing the person is considered guilty concerning.