incur guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "incur guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of becoming responsible for wrongdoing or feeling remorse for one's actions. Example: "After realizing the consequences of his actions, he began to incur guilt for the pain he had caused others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In the inimitable Nazi style, the S.S. has done its best to eliminate the possibility of individual martyrdom and even moral choice (Kremer will incur guilt whatever he does).

The New Yorker

nor shall he hate him [in the uncircumcision] of his heart though he shall reprove him on the very day so as not to incur guilt because of him.

The New Yorker

You must pay him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets, for he is needy and his life depends on it; else he will cry to the Lord against you and you will incur guilt".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The argument that the exercise of power in international politics necessarily incurs guilt is a familiar one.

Los Angeles Times

One of the most conveniently overlooked admonitions of the Torah's "Holiness Code," Leviticus Chapter 19, verse 17 warns: "Reprove your neighbor, but incur no guilt because of him".

Huffington Post

And the third reason is that there is something unsavory about obligations allegedly resulting from an act of divine will that is not expressed as a command: "Games in which one party incurs guilt for failing to guess the unexpressed wishes of the other party are not nice games.

SEP

But this object would be frustrated if the knowledge could not be used without incurring the guilt of piracy of the book.

Harvard University

Failure would incur tough consequences.

The Guardian

All incur massive transaction costs.

The Economist

Why incur more?

Forbes

We incur medical bills.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "incur guilt", ensure the context clearly indicates the action or inaction that leads to the feeling or state of guilt. For example, "By neglecting his duties, he began to "incur guilt".

Common error

Avoid using "incur guilt" when the source of the guilt is ambiguous or not directly linked to the subject's actions. Ensure a clear cause-and-effect relationship is established to avoid misinterpreting the sentence's meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "incur guilt" functions as a verb phrase where "incur" acts as a transitive verb taking "guilt" as its direct object. It describes the process of becoming subject to or deserving of guilt. Ludwig AI indicates that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "incur guilt" is a grammatically sound and usable expression signifying the process of becoming responsible for or deserving of guilt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively infrequent in everyday conversation, it's suitable for both neutral and formal contexts, particularly in writing. It's important to use it accurately by ensuring a clear connection between the subject's actions and the resulting feeling of guilt. Alternative expressions such as "bear the guilt" or "shoulder the blame" can be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bear the guilt

Focuses on the act of carrying or enduring guilt.

shoulder the blame

Emphasizes accepting responsibility for something negative.

face culpability

Highlights the aspect of confronting or acknowledging one's guilt.

accept responsibility

Stresses acknowledging accountability for one's actions.

take the blame

Focuses on assuming responsibility, often to protect others.

be held accountable

Highlights being answerable for one's actions, often by an external authority.

become liable

Points to legally or formally becoming responsible for something.

fall under suspicion

Shifts the focus to being suspected of wrongdoing, which may or may not lead to guilt.

be to blame

Indicates being the cause of something negative or undesirable.

acquire culpability

Highlights the process of gaining or earning guilt.

FAQs

How can I use "incur guilt" in a sentence?

Use "incur guilt" to describe the process of becoming responsible for wrongdoing or feeling remorse due to one's actions. For instance, "He knew that by betraying his friend, he would "incur guilt".

What are some alternatives to "incur guilt"?

You can use alternatives such as "bear the guilt", "shoulder the blame", or "accept responsibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "obtain guilt" instead of "incur guilt"?

While "obtain" suggests acquiring something, "incur" implies that the guilt is a consequence of one's actions. Therefore, "incur guilt" is generally the more appropriate and grammatically sound choice.

What's the difference between "incur guilt" and "feel guilty"?

"Incur guilt" refers to the process of becoming responsible or deserving of guilt, while "feel guilty" describes the emotional experience of remorse. One might "incur guilt" due to their actions, leading them to then "feel guilty".