not guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in legal contexts to refer to a defendant's plea or verdict in criminal cases. Example: After several hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not guilty".

The New York Times

You say: "Not guilty..

The New York Times - Books

He pleaded not guilty.

The New York Times - Food

They pleaded not guilty.

The New York Times

I'm not guilty".

The New York Times

He pleads not guilty.

The Economist

All pleaded not guilty.

The New York Times - Science

I am not guilty".

The New York Times

She pleaded not guilty.

The New Yorker

Alt charges not guilty.

The New York Times

Bonds pleaded not guilty.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting legal news, use "not guilty" to accurately reflect a defendant's plea or a jury's verdict. Ensure you also provide context about the charges and any relevant evidence.

Common error

Understand that a "not guilty" verdict does not necessarily mean the person is factually innocent; it means the prosecution did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Avoid stating or implying that a "not guilty" verdict is proof of innocence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not guilty" functions primarily as an adjective phrase that describes the legal status of a defendant in a criminal trial. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and frequently used, particularly in legal contexts. It signifies that the individual has not been proven to have committed the crime they are accused of.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not guilty" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase primarily used in legal contexts to indicate a lack of culpability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use. The phrase appears predominantly in news and media, with authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist frequently using it in their reporting. While it's often used interchangeably with terms like "innocent" or "acquitted", it's crucial to understand that a "not guilty" verdict doesn't necessarily equate to factual innocence; it signifies the prosecution's failure to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. When writing about legal matters, it's important to provide context and avoid implying that a "not guilty" verdict is synonymous with being innocent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innocent

Direct synonym emphasizing a lack of guilt.

acquitted

Describes the legal outcome of being found not guilty.

exonerated

Implies a clearing of blame after suspicion.

not culpable

A more formal way of saying not guilty.

cleared of charges

More explicit about the removal of accusations.

found innocent

Similar to acquitted, emphasizing the finding of innocence.

without fault

Broader term indicating a lack of responsibility.

blameless

Suggests a lack of moral or legal culpability.

free from blame

Emphasizes the absence of responsibility for wrongdoing.

beyond reproach

Suggests a state of being above criticism or blame.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone pleads "not guilty"?

When someone pleads "not guilty", it means they are formally denying the charges against them and requiring the prosecution to prove their guilt in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

What is the difference between a "not guilty" verdict and a finding of innocence?

A "not guilty" verdict means the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. It doesn't necessarily mean the person is innocent, just that there wasn't enough evidence to convict. Being "innocent" implies the person did not commit the crime.

How can I use "not guilty" in a sentence?

You can use "not guilty" to describe a plea (e.g., "The defendant pleaded not guilty") or a verdict (e.g., "The jury returned a verdict of not guilty").

What are some alternative ways to say "not guilty" in legal contexts?

Alternatives include "acquitted", "exonerated", or "cleared of charges". However, these terms might carry slightly different connotations depending on the specific legal situation and are not always interchangeable. For example, acquitted means that the trial resulted in a not guilty verdict.