guilty people

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guilty people" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to individuals who have been found to have committed a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "The court sentenced the guilty people to serve time in prison for their actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Many innocents must be violated so that a few guilty people can be stopped.

The New York Times

But jury nullification doesn't just let off otherwise guilty people; it also convicts the innocent.

The New York Times

An execution system that killed only well-defended, clearly guilty people would be harder to dismantle, easier to defend.

The Economist

You've interviewed very guilty people — Pinochet, Charles Taylor — as well as ones whose guilt was murkier; George, so have you.

The New Yorker

If he's not guilty, people will consider it typical of a system where nobody is held accountable.

The New York Times

There will also be an increase in guilty people getting away with it.

The Guardian

Even while the commission sat, many guilty people were destroying intelligence files containing incriminating evidence.

The Guardian

And police will miss guilty people who don't fit their stereotypes.

The New York Times

"But one thing we do in Waterbury is find the guilty people and we convict them".

The New York Times

The low conviction rate in rape means that guilty people are acquitted.

The Guardian

"In this country, the guilty people don't always have to pay," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or ethical issues, consider the specific context to determine if more precise terms like "convicted individuals" or "culpable parties" might be more appropriate than the general term "guilty people".

Common error

Avoid using "guilty people" as a blanket term for anyone accused of wrongdoing before a legal determination has been made. Use more neutral language like "suspects" or "accused individuals" until guilt is established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guilty people" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "guilty" modifies the noun "people". This phrase typically serves to identify a group of individuals who have been determined to have committed a crime, offense, or wrongdoing. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "guilty people" is a commonly used and generally accepted term to describe individuals who have committed a crime or wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical function is as a noun phrase, and its purpose is to categorize individuals responsible for specific actions. While broadly applicable, it's important to consider more precise alternatives like "convicted individuals" or "culpable parties" depending on the context. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, indicating a neutral register. When writing, avoid overgeneralization and ensure the term is used accurately, especially before formal legal determinations have been made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convicted individuals

Focuses specifically on those who have been formally convicted in a court of law.

culpable parties

Emphasizes moral responsibility and blameworthiness.

offenders

A general term for those who have committed an offense, whether legal or moral.

perpetrators

Highlights the act of committing a crime or wrongdoing.

wrongdoers

A broad term for those who have acted immorally or illegally.

transgressors

Emphasizes the violation of a law, rule, or moral code.

lawbreakers

Specifically refers to those who have broken the law.

felons

Refers to individuals convicted of serious crimes.

criminals

A general term for people who commit crimes.

responsible individuals

Focuses on accountability, implying they are responsible for a wrongdoing.

FAQs

How can I use "guilty people" in a sentence?

You can use "guilty people" to refer to individuals who have committed a crime or wrongdoing. For example, "The court sentenced the "guilty people" to serve time in prison."

What is a more formal alternative to "guilty people"?

More formal alternatives include "convicted individuals", "culpable parties", or "offenders", depending on the specific context.

Is it accurate to refer to someone as one of the "guilty people" before they are convicted?

It is generally not accurate or advisable to label someone as one of the "guilty people" before they have been formally convicted of a crime. Using terms like "suspects" or "accused individuals" is more neutral and appropriate.

What's the difference between "guilty people" and "criminals"?

"Guilty people" refers to individuals who have been found to have committed a crime or wrongdoing, while "criminals" is a more general term for people who engage in criminal activities. One might say that "convicted criminals" are, in fact, guilty people.