in mitigation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in mitigation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to refer to circumstances that may lessen the severity or culpability of a situation or action. Example: "The defendant presented evidence in mitigation to demonstrate that his actions were influenced by external factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In mitigation, Nighat Morris's.

The Guardian

In mitigation, we have... well, not much.

The Guardian - Sport

In mitigation circles, they're called "chaos maps".

The New York Times - Magazine

In mitigation, these are not normal times for English rugby.

The Guardian - Sport

Ireland, in mitigation, had their efforts severely disrupted early on.

The Guardian - Sport

In mitigation, the incident did happen in Essex.

The Guardian

But that is only a plea in mitigation.

The Guardian - Business

In mitigation Klopp's forward options were reduced or lacking sharpness.

The Guardian - Sport

Pleas in mitigation were entered at Navan, after all.

Independent

In mitigation, software engineering is still an immature discipline.

The Economist

Maybe, but there are a few points in mitigation as well.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in mitigation" in legal writing, follow it with specific details that explain the circumstances reducing culpability. For example, "In mitigation, the defendant cited a history of mental illness."

Common error

Avoid using "in mitigation" when the intention is to fully justify an action. Mitigation acknowledges wrongdoing but seeks to lessen the blame, whereas justification aims to prove the action was right. Be certain of the goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in mitigation" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, introducing circumstances that lessen the severity or culpability of an action. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in legal contexts and general explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in mitigation" is a prepositional phrase used to introduce circumstances that lessen the severity or culpability of a situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in formal contexts, especially legal and business writing. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, it is important to use it accurately: it's intended to reduce blame, not justify actions. The phrase appears frequently in authoritative news sources like The Guardian, The Independent, and The Economist, signifying its formal register. For alternative expressions, consider "as a mitigating factor" or "by way of excuse", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a mitigating factor

Highlights the factor that reduces the severity.

on the grounds that

Introduces the basis for reducing culpability.

as an extenuating circumstance

Emphasizes the circumstances that lessen the blame.

in palliation

Like mitigation, it seeks to reduce the severity.

as a partial justification

Highlights that the action is only partially justified.

by way of excuse

Suggests offering an explanation to reduce responsibility.

as a reason to forgive

Directly appeals for forgiveness based on certain reasons.

in defense

Focuses on justifying the action to reduce blame.

to excuse

A direct expression of seeking forgiveness or justification.

to justify

Aims to provide reasons for an action.

FAQs

How is "in mitigation" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "in mitigation" is used to introduce evidence or arguments that aim to reduce the severity of a sentence or punishment. It acknowledges the offense but seeks to present circumstances that lessen the defendant's culpability. For example, a defense lawyer might present evidence of the defendant's difficult childhood "as a mitigating factor".

What are some alternatives to using "in mitigation" in formal writing?

In formal writing, you can use alternatives such as "as a mitigating factor", "as an extenuating circumstance", or "by way of excuse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "in mitigation" and "in defense"?

"In mitigation" acknowledges wrongdoing but presents reasons to lessen the blame or punishment, while "in defense" aims to justify the action and prove innocence. "In mitigation" concedes guilt to some extent, whereas "in defense" typically denies it.

Can "in mitigation" be used outside of legal or formal contexts?

While primarily used in legal or formal contexts, "in mitigation" can occasionally appear in general writing to introduce an explanation that lessens the impact of a negative statement or action. However, it maintains a formal tone, so consider if a simpler phrase would be more appropriate.