profess innocence

USAGE SUMMARY

"profess innocence" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when someone claims or asserts that they are innocent of wrongdoing. Example: "Despite the evidence against him, he continued to profess innocence." Alternative expressions include "claim innocence" and "assert innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By reminding everyone of a real military agreement, you can profess innocence while having military "exercises" overstepping their bounds.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, the United States can claim credit when it helps Mexico capture a kingpin, but profess innocence when things go wrong.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Clemens predictably professed innocence.

The New York Times - Sports

The Ehrlich campaign professes innocence.

The New York Times

"Was it you?" he asked one stagehand, who professed innocence.

The New Yorker

It occurred to me that McCain is far more comfortable admitting guilt than professing innocence.

The New Yorker

Thomas professed innocence, saying that he was the subject of a "high-tech lynching".

The New Yorker

THE chubby boy in camouflage stood at grudging attention before the commandant, professing innocence of conduct unbecoming.

The New York Times

When confronted with the litany of crimes he is accused of committing, the sheriff neither professed innocence nor admitted guilt.

The New York Times

Mr. Darkazanli professes innocence and said in a telephone interview that the police had not spoken to him in the context of the raids today.

The New York Times

Although Mr. Sindona professed innocence at his trial, which began last June, prosecutors presented a confession by the man Mr. Sindona hired to do the killing, William Joseph Arico, an American.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "profess innocence", ensure the context clearly indicates the individual is asserting their lack of guilt, despite potential accusations or evidence to the contrary. This phrase often implies a formal or public declaration.

Common error

Avoid using "profess innocence" in casual conversation. It carries a weight of formality and public assertion that is inappropriate for informal settings. Use simpler phrases like "I didn't do it" or "I'm not guilty" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profess innocence" functions as a verb phrase where "profess" is the verb indicating the act of declaring, and "innocence" is the object of the verb, specifying what is being declared. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profess innocence" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to formally declare a lack of guilt. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively uncommon and typically found in news and media contexts. It is important to note that this phrase should be used when the context involves a formal assertion, differentiating it from more casual expressions of innocence. Alternatives like "claim innocence" or "declare innocence" may be suitable depending on the desired level of formality. When using this phrase, ensure it is appropriate for the setting and audience to avoid any miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declare innocence

More formal and emphatic.

profess to be innocent

Adds the verb 'to be' making it a slightly more verbose.

claim innocence

A more straightforward and common alternative.

declare oneself innocent

This alternative is reflexive, emphasizing that the person is declaring about themselves.

assert innocence

Implies a strong and confident declaration.

proclaim innocence

Suggests a public and often dramatic declaration of innocence.

maintain innocence

Suggests a continued claim of not being guilty over time.

protest innocence

Indicates a forceful expression of not being guilty, often in response to accusations.

aver innocence

A more formal and less common way to state innocence.

swear innocence

Implies a solemn and serious declaration, often under oath.

FAQs

How to use "profess innocence" in a sentence?

You can use "profess innocence" to describe someone claiming they are not guilty, as in "Despite the evidence, the defendant continued to profess innocence".

What can I say instead of "profess innocence"?

You can use alternatives like "declare innocence", "claim innocence", or "maintain innocence", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "profess innocence" or "profess guilty"?

"Profess innocence" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. It means to declare one's lack of guilt. "Profess guilty" is not a standard expression; instead, use "confess guilt" or "admit guilt".

What's the difference between "claim innocence" and "profess innocence"?

While both "claim innocence" and "profess innocence" involve asserting one's lack of guilt, "profess innocence" often suggests a more formal or emphatic declaration.