pronounced guilty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pronounced guilty" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when a judge or jury has found someone to be guilty of a crime. For example: After a long trial, the jury pronounced the defendant guilty of first-degree murder.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Soviet justice was summary: Pronounced guilty, he was executed.

The New York Times

Butcher clearly remembers the moment Nunn was pronounced guilty.

The Guardian

They expected at the very least the satisfaction of seeing him pronounced guilty.

Independent

When he was pronounced guilty at his trial, the 24-year-old merely smiled.

The Guardian - Books

Orlov was pronounced guilty of "systematic distribution of slanderous fabrications defaming the Soviet state and social system".

The New Yorker

Murphy himself sat absolutely still, his hands folded in his lap, as he was pronounced guilty after a judgement lasting more than an hour.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Courthouse lore holds that jurors never look at defendants when they are about to pronounce guilty verdicts.

The New York Times

We pronounced them guilty the first time we ever heard of them, and they remained guilty, until now.

The New York Times

But he seemed surprised when she pronounced him guilty on the next charge, of bias intimidation.

The New York Times

The judge pronounced him guilty of "injuring public modesty" and sentenced him to two years.

The Guardian - Books

It was he, who together with three other Austrian bishops, pronounced Groer guilty.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pronounced guilty" to emphasize the moment the verdict is officially announced, particularly in legal or journalistic contexts. For example, "The judge pronounced the defendant guilty after a lengthy trial."

Common error

Avoid using "pronounced guilty" when a more direct phrase like "found guilty" or "convicted of" would be clearer and more concise. "Found guilty" typically describes the overall outcome, while "pronounced guilty" highlights the specific act of declaring the verdict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pronounced guilty" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a formal judgment of guilt has been made. This commonly occurs at the end of a trial, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pronounced guilty" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes the moment when a defendant is officially declared guilty of a crime. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase commonly appears in the context of legal and journalistic writing, signaling a formal judgment. While acceptable, it is not as frequently used as alternatives like "found guilty" or "convicted of". When writing, consider if emphasizing the declaration of the verdict is important; otherwise, a more direct phrase might be more suitable. Remember that understanding context can enhance writing quality and prevent potential errors. This review has considered several examples and recommendations to use "pronounced guilty" correctly and in proper context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

found guilty

This alternative is a more common and direct way of expressing the same legal outcome.

convicted of

This alternative emphasizes the legal process that led to the determination of guilt.

returned a guilty verdict

This alternative focuses on the jury's action in a criminal trial.

adjudged guilty

This alternative is a more formal and legalistic way of saying "pronounced guilty".

verdict of guilty

This alternative phrase is a shorter nominal form of the previous one.

ruled guilty

This alternative emphasizes the judge's decision in the matter.

declared guilty

This alternative is similar, but "declared" can sometimes imply a more forceful or public announcement.

deemed guilty

This alternative suggests that the guilt was determined based on an assessment of evidence or circumstances.

held liable

This alternative is used when referring to civil cases rather than criminal ones.

determined to be guilty

This alternative is more verbose, emphasizing the process of reaching the conclusion.

FAQs

What does "pronounced guilty" mean in a legal context?

In a legal context, "pronounced guilty" refers to the moment when a judge or jury officially declares a defendant to be guilty of the crime they were accused of.

Is it better to say "pronounced guilty" or "found guilty"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "found guilty" is generally more common and direct. "Pronounced guilty" emphasizes the act of declaring the verdict, while "found guilty" refers to the overall outcome.

What are some synonyms for "pronounced guilty"?

Synonyms for "pronounced guilty" include "convicted of", "adjudged guilty", and "declared guilty". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How is "pronounced guilty" different from "held liable"?

"Pronounced guilty" is used in criminal cases, while "held liable" is used in civil cases. "Held liable" means that someone is responsible for damages or debts.