have been convicted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been convicted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has been found guilty of a crime in the past and that this status continues to be relevant in the present. Example: "The defendant has been convicted of multiple offenses and is now serving a lengthy prison sentence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Few perpetrators have been convicted.

The Economist

Five defendants have been convicted and sentenced.

The Economist

Only 24 lawmakers have been convicted.

The New York Times

Few have been convicted so far.

The New York Times

She should not have been convicted.

The New York Times

Some of these abusers have been convicted.

The Guardian

Murdoch employees have been convicted or sent to pasture.

The New Yorker

Four men have been convicted in the scheme.

The New York Times

You have been convicted on clear and compelling evidence".

Independent

(Four men have been convicted, and one is awaiting trial).

The New Yorker

"Moalin and three other individuals have been convicted," Joyce continued.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been convicted", ensure you specify the crime or offense for clarity. This adds context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been convicted" when the subject is actively convicting someone else. The phrase indicates that the subject received the conviction, not that they are giving it.

Linguistic Context

"Have been convicted" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has undergone the action of being convicted. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe the legal status of individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been convicted" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction, primarily in the realm of news and media. It serves to communicate the legal status of individuals who have been found guilty of offenses. Ludwig AI analysis shows that a variety of sources consistently use this phrase in a neutral register, emphasizing its suitability for factual reporting. Remember to specify the offense when using this phrase for greater clarity, and avoid using it when the subject is actively convicting someone else. Numerous alternative phrases, such as "found guilty" or "sentenced", can be used depending on the context and the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were found guilty

Emphasizes the action of finding someone guilty rather than the state of being convicted.

received a guilty verdict

Highlights the verdict itself, indicating a determination of guilt.

were judged to be guilty

Focuses on the act of judging and the resulting state of guilt.

have been sentenced

Indicates the imposition of a penalty after a conviction.

were legally culpable

Indicates legal responsibility for an offense.

were proven guilty

Highlights that guilt was established through evidence.

faced conviction

Focuses on the experience of facing the legal process resulting in a conviction.

have been condemned

Conveys a strong sense of disapproval and judgment, often in a moral or ethical context.

were declared offenders

Formally identifies individuals as having committed an offense.

have been adjudicated guilty

Focuses on the formal legal process of adjudicating someone as guilty.

FAQs

How is "have been convicted" used in a sentence?

The phrase "have been convicted" indicates that someone has been found guilty of a crime in the past. For example: "The defendant "has been convicted" of fraud."

What are some alternatives to "have been convicted"?

You can use phrases like "found guilty", "sentenced", or "judged to be guilty" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was convicted" instead of "have been convicted"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was convicted" refers to a single event in the past, while "have been convicted" implies a continuing state or history of convictions. You may also consider alternatives like "had been convicted" for an action completed in the past.

What's the difference between "have been convicted" and "have been accused"?

"Have been accused" means someone is alleged to have committed a crime but has not yet been proven guilty, while "have been convicted" means they have been found guilty by a court of law. The alternative is "charged with".