in plea

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in plea" is not commonly used in written English and may not be clear without context.
It can be used in legal contexts, typically referring to a formal statement made by a defendant in response to a charge. Example: "The defendant entered a plea of not guilty during the arraignment."

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fossil-poaching and smuggling cases usually end in plea bargains.

The New Yorker

Many inevitably resulted in plea deals to lesser charges.

The New York Times

USOC says it had no role in plea.

The Washington Post

95% of criminal cases end in plea bargaining.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nearly all federal prosecutions end in plea bargains.

The New Yorker

Was MIT involved in plea negotiations between the government and Aaron Swartz?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Big cases often end in plea bargains before trial, with prosecutors never showing their evidence.

The New York Times

For starters, some 95 percent of all cases end in plea bargains.

The New York Times

The statute has improved the justice system, including enhancing fairness in plea bargains.

The New York Times

Most other recent insider trading cases have resulted in plea agreements.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As it negotiated that deal, the DOJ was also in plea-bargaining talks with Mr Fastow's wife, Lea.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in plea", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to a stage in legal proceedings or a general act of earnestly requesting something. Clarity prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "in plea" in informal contexts where simpler expressions like "as a request" or "when asking" would be more appropriate. "In plea" carries a level of formality suitable for legal or serious situations only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in plea" typically functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate the circumstances or context of an action, especially within legal contexts. As suggested by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly found within legal and formal settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in plea" is a prepositional phrase primarily used to provide context, particularly within legal or formal settings. While Ludwig's analysis indicates it's grammatically acceptable, it also suggests that its suitability depends heavily on the context. With a high frequency of occurrence in news and academic sources, "in plea" is best used when referring to formal requests or stages within legal proceedings. Using this phrase correctly hinges on understanding the level of formality it implies and substituting it with a simpler phrase, like "as a request", for informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a plea

Emphasizes the action of pleading itself, rather than the state of being in a plea.

during petition

Highlights that the plea is made during a formal petition.

as part of defense

Highlights the legal defense strategy involving the plea.

during negotiations

Focuses on the timeframe when plea discussions are occurring.

during appeal

Indicates the context of an appeal process.

while bargaining

Highlights the act of negotiation and compromise.

while imploring

Emphasizes the earnest and urgent nature of making a plea.

in court

Specifies the location where the plea is being entered.

within legal arguments

Refers to the wider context of legal proceedings.

under advisement

Suggests a state where the plea is being reviewed.

FAQs

How is "in plea" used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "in plea" often appears in phrases like "in plea bargaining" or when describing a defendant's statements during a legal proceeding. It refers to the stage where a defendant formally responds to charges.

What are some common alternatives to "in plea"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "as a request", "during negotiations", or "while appealing". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in plea" outside of legal settings?

While grammatically acceptable, using "in plea" outside of legal or very formal contexts might sound unusual. Simpler alternatives often provide clearer communication. Consider using other alternatives, such as "during petition" or "while imploring".

What's the difference between "in plea" and "on trial"?

"In plea" refers to a specific stage or action related to making a formal statement of defense or request, often during legal proceedings. "On trial", on the other hand, describes the entire process of examining evidence and determining guilt or innocence in a court of law.