is innocent until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is innocent until" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to refer to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Example: "In a court of law, every defendant is innocent until proven guilty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But nonfiction is innocent until proved guilty.

The New York Times - Magazine

He is innocent until proved guilty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every accused is innocent until proved guilty.

The New York Times

Zimmerman is innocent until proven guilty.

The Guardian - Opinion

A person is innocent until proven guilty.

The New York Times

He is innocent until proven guilty.

The New York Times

"Everyone is innocent until they are proven guilty," Ghanei said.

The New Yorker

Like any American, he is innocent until proven guilty".

The New Yorker

"Of course at this stage he is innocent until proven guilty," he said.

Independent

"Even the Olympic Charter states that a person is innocent until proven guilty.

The New York Times

In the eyes of the law, he is innocent until proven guilty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is innocent until", ensure you're referring to a context where formal judgment or accusation is involved, such as legal proceedings or public perception.

Common error

Avoid using "is innocent until" in contexts that are not related to formal accusations or legal judgments. For instance, it would be inappropriate to say "a product is innocent until proven faulty"; instead, use phrases like "reliable until proven otherwise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is innocent until" functions as a presumptive statement in legal and ethical contexts. As Ludwig AI points out, it asserts a condition of innocence that persists until proven otherwise. This is a fundamental principle in many justice systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is innocent until" is a cornerstone of justice systems, embodying the principle of presumed innocence. As Ludwig AI shows with many examples, it is commonly used in news, media, and academic contexts to underscore the importance of fair treatment and due process. The phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted, though it's crucial to use it in appropriate settings related to formal accusations or legal judgments. Remember that the phrase ensures that individuals are protected from premature judgment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presumed innocent until proven guilty

More formal and explicitly states the legal principle of presumed innocence.

innocent until proven otherwise

Slightly less common but maintains the same core meaning.

considered not guilty until convicted

Emphasizes the legal aspect and the point at which innocence is lost.

treated as innocent until found guilty

Focuses on the treatment or handling of someone before a guilty verdict.

assumed to be without fault until proven otherwise

More descriptive and formal, highlighting the initial assumption of innocence.

regarded as blameless until condemned

More formal and emphasizes the shift from innocence to condemnation.

not to be judged until evidence is presented

Highlights the importance of evidence before making a judgment.

innocence is presumed

A shorter, more direct way of stating the same principle.

given the benefit of the doubt

Implies a temporary suspension of judgment in favor of the person in question.

to be given a fair hearing

Emphasizes the right to a fair process before any judgment.

FAQs

How to use "is innocent until" in a sentence?

The phrase "is innocent until" is typically used to emphasize the legal principle that a person should be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. For example, "The suspect "is innocent until" proven guilty according to the law."

What can I say instead of "is innocent until"?

You can use alternatives like "presumed innocent until proven guilty" or "innocent until proven otherwise" to convey a similar meaning.

Which is correct, "is innocent until proven guilty" or "is guilty until proven innocent"?

"Is innocent until proven guilty" is the correct and legally recognized principle in many legal systems. The opposite, "is guilty until proven innocent", violates this principle and is generally considered unjust.

What's the difference between "is innocent until proven guilty" and "deserves the benefit of the doubt"?

"Is innocent until proven guilty" is a legal standard, while "deserves the benefit of the doubt" is a more general expression of giving someone a chance or suspending judgment. The former applies in formal legal contexts, whereas the latter can be used in everyday situations.