guilty of having

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guilty of having" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's responsibility or culpability for possessing something, often in a legal or moral context. Example: "The jury found him guilty of having committed the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Guilty of having disproportionate assets".

The Economist

He is guilty of having no credible medium-term plan to reduce the deficit.

The Economist

"So in a way I am guilty of having driven up the prices," he said.

The New York Times

"He said he's absolutely not guilty of having anything to do with the Olympics," Saldarelli said.

The New York Times - Sports

(Heidemann was eventually found not guilty of having been in on the forgery).

The New Yorker

She was certainly guilty of having those babies and doing those drugs.

The New York Times

They weep for a friend... Annalisa is guilty of having been born in Naples.

The Guardian - Film

One of his friends was found guilty of having seven bodies buried in his back garden".

The Guardian - Arts

Hundreds of rape victims are imprisoned every year in the UAE – judged guilty of having sex outside marriage.

Independent

I may be guilty of having that snake trick Eve, but there are some snakes that I don't control.

The New Yorker

It found the Australian Wheat Board guilty of having paid a mammoth $220m in illegal kickbacks to Iraq.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "guilty of having", ensure that the context clearly specifies what the subject is accused of possessing, whether it's a physical object, a trait, or an action.

Common error

Avoid using "guilty of having" when the context implies responsibility but not necessarily culpability. For example, instead of saying someone is "guilty of having" a certain background, use "responsible for reflecting on" or "shaped by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guilty of having" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a state of culpability related to possessing something, be it tangible or intangible. Ludwig AI examples show it used in legal and moral contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "guilty of having" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote culpability or responsibility for possessing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in news, encyclopedias, and other contexts, indicating its wide applicability. While it generally implies legal or moral fault, understanding its nuances and contexts can help prevent common writing errors. When using "guilty of having", ensure you clearly specify what the subject is possessing and avoid using it when simple responsibility is implied, rather than guilt. You can also rely on a range of alternatives that share a similar meaning, such as "culpable for possessing" or "responsible for having". Overall, "guilty of having" is a versatile expression with a distinct meaning and usage pattern.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

culpable for possessing

Replaces "guilty" with "culpable", emphasizing blameworthiness regarding possession.

responsible for possessing

Substitutes "guilty" with "responsible", highlighting accountability for possession.

liable for owning

Uses "liable" and "owning" to convey legal responsibility for possession.

accountable for keeping

Replaces "guilty" with "accountable", focusing on the obligation associated with keeping something.

held to account for possessing

Emphasizes the act of being made to answer for possessing something.

implicated in possessing

Suggests involvement or connection to possessing something, often with negative connotations.

blamed for keeping

Directly assigns blame for keeping something, rather than focusing on legal guilt.

reproached for possessing

Implies criticism or disapproval for possessing something.

censured for owning

Indicates formal disapproval or condemnation for owning something.

condemned for possessing

Expresses strong disapproval or judgment against possessing something.

FAQs

How is "guilty of having" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "guilty of having" often precedes a specific charge, such as possessing illegal substances or "having disproportionate assets". It indicates that the individual has been convicted of possessing something illegal or unauthorized.

What are some alternatives to "guilty of having" in informal speech?

In more casual settings, you could use phrases like "responsible for", "to blame for", or simply state that someone "did" something, depending on the intended meaning and context. For instance, "He's responsible for creating the mess" instead of "He's "guilty of having" created the mess."

Is it correct to say "guilty for having" instead of "guilty of having"?

No, the correct and idiomatic usage is "guilty of having". Using "guilty for having" is grammatically incorrect. The preposition "of" is required to connect "guilty" with the action or state of "having" something.

Can "guilty of having" be used for abstract concepts?

Yes, "guilty of having" can be used for abstract concepts such as "guilty of having opinions" or certain traits, though this usage is often more figurative and less about legal culpability. It suggests being responsible for or characterized by something potentially negative.