guilty with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "guilty with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct phrase is "guilty of." Example: "He was found guilty of theft."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And I plead guilty, with an explanation.

The New Yorker

She now pleads guilty — with an explanation.

The New Yorker

Splitters plead not guilty with an explanation.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's the parks department, which pleads guilty, with an explanation.

The New York Times

Another defendant, Michael Turano, pleaded guilty with Mr. Kruger.

The New York Times

Influences: "I try not to have guilty with my pleasure.

The New Yorker

The following month, Mr. González pleaded guilty, with Mr. Richman by his side.

The New York Times

Each person is responsible for the other and is guilty with the other.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To the charge of treason, Mary's biographer pleads guilty with an explanation.

The Economist

Alternatively, he could have pleaded guilty with no deal and asked for leniency when sentenced.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This habit has earned him a reputation for aloofness, to which he pleads guilty-with-an-explanation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct preposition "of" after "guilty". For example, say "guilty of a crime" instead of "guilty with a crime".

Common error

Avoid using "with" after "guilty". The standard construction requires the preposition "of" to correctly indicate the offense or misdeed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "guilty with" is an adjective phrase where "guilty" describes a state of culpability, and "with" incorrectly attempts to link it to an associated element. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "guilty with" appears in a number of sources, including reputable ones such as The New York Times and The Guardian, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use after "guilty" is "of". As Ludwig AI clarifies, standard English dictates using ""guilty of"" to clearly and correctly convey culpability. Therefore, it is best to avoid using "guilty with" and instead opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as ""guilty of"", "responsible for", or "culpable for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guilty of

Emphasizes the offense or wrongdoing committed.

culpable for

Focuses on bearing responsibility for a mistake or crime.

responsible for

Highlights the accountability for an action or outcome.

accountable for

Stresses the obligation to answer for actions.

liable for

Indicates legal responsibility for something.

complicit in

Suggests involvement in wrongdoing.

implicated in

Highlights the involvement or connection to a crime.

at fault for

Indicates responsibility for an error or accident.

blameworthy for

Points out the deserving of blame.

chargeable with

Specifies the offense with which someone is accused.

FAQs

How should I correctly use the word "guilty" in a sentence?

The correct preposition to use after "guilty" is "of". For example, say "He is "guilty of" theft" instead of "He is guilty with theft".

What are some alternatives to "guilty with"?

Instead of "guilty with", you can use phrases like ""guilty of"", "responsible for", or "culpable for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "guilty with" or "guilty of"?

"Guilty of" is the correct and standard English usage. "Guilty with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "guilty with," and why is it not recommended?

While you might find "guilty with" in some informal or non-standard writing, it's best to avoid it in formal contexts. Standard English dictates using ""guilty of"" to clearly and correctly convey culpability.