guilty verdict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guilty verdict" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a decision or ruling made by a court of law, finding a person or group guilty of a criminal offense. Example: The jury came to a guilty verdict after several hours of deliberation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

January's guilty verdict was expected.

The Economist

A guilty verdict has become virtually certain.

The New York Times

The guilty verdict was later thrown out.

The New York Times

A guilty verdict is considered likely.

Independent

She blames him for the guilty verdict.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I am edging towards a guilty verdict.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

I expected a not-guilty verdict.

The New Yorker

What precedent, if any, would a not-guilty verdict set?

The New York Times

I'm here because of the not-guilty verdict.

The New Yorker

A not-guilty verdict doesn't prove that the victim lied.

The Guardian

He said some who favored a not-guilty verdict challenged him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "guilty verdict" when specifically referring to the outcome delivered by a jury or judge. Ensure the context clearly indicates a legal proceeding.

Common error

Avoid using "guilty verdict" as a generic term for blame or fault outside of a legal context. It specifically refers to a judgment in a court of law.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guilty verdict" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence related to legal proceedings. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "guilty verdict" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the outcome of a legal trial where a defendant is found guilty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. This phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "conviction" or "finding of guilt" exist, "guilty verdict" specifically denotes the decision made by a jury or judge. Remember to use this phrase accurately, reserving it for formal legal contexts to avoid misinterpretations. It is important not to confuse a "guilty verdict" with a "sentence", which is the punishment given after the verdict.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verdict of guilty

Inverts the order of words while maintaining the original meaning.

conviction

Focuses on the formal declaration of guilt, simplifying the phrase.

finding of guilt

More formal and explicit, emphasizing the process of determining guilt.

guilty decision

Substitutes "verdict" with "decision", highlighting the act of deciding.

declaration of guilt

Emphasizes the act of formally announcing the guilt.

determination of guilt

Highlights the process of establishing guilt through investigation and evidence.

culpable judgment

Replaces "verdict" with "judgment" and uses "culpable" as a synonym for "guilty".

unfavorable ruling

Broader term that can encompass a guilty verdict, though not exclusively.

condemnation

Implies a strong expression of disapproval, often resulting from a guilty verdict.

sentence

Refers to the punishment given after a guilty verdict has been reached.

FAQs

How is "guilty verdict" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "guilty verdict" is used to describe the outcome of a trial where the defendant is found guilty. For example, "The jury delivered a "guilty verdict" after deliberating for twelve hours."

What are some alternatives to saying "guilty verdict"?

Alternatives include "conviction", "finding of guilt", or "guilty decision". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "not-guilty verdict"?

Yes, "not-guilty verdict" is correct. It indicates that the jury or judge did not find the defendant guilty of the crime they were accused of.

What's the difference between a "guilty verdict" and a "sentence"?

A "guilty verdict" is the decision that a defendant is guilty. A "sentence" is the punishment imposed after a guilty verdict has been reached.