reached a verdict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reached a verdict" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that a jury or judge has come to a decision regarding a case. Example: "After several days of deliberation, the jury finally reached a verdict in the high-profile trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Had they reached a verdict that quickly?

The New York Times - Arts

Kearney, too, had reached a verdict.

The New York Times - Magazine

They had already reached a verdict however: guilty.

The New Yorker

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" I said yes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Small paused when asked if they had reached a verdict.

The Guardian

Eight have reached a verdict and ten are close to one.

The Economist

Economists are debating the effects of all this, but voters have reached a verdict.

The New York Times

The third jury reached a verdict in less than two hours.

The New York Times

Jurors reached a verdict after just two and a half hours of deliberation.

The New York Times

The jury reached a verdict after 24 hours – she was found guilty on all seven counts.

The Guardian - Books

reached a verdict on the rival complaint brought by Europe over American subsidies to Boeing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, use "reached a verdict" to clearly indicate that a jury or judge has made a formal decision. This avoids ambiguity and maintains a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "reached a verdict" when a more general term like "arrived at a decision" or "came to a conclusion" is more appropriate. "Reached a verdict" is specific to legal or formal judgment contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reached a verdict" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of a decision-making process, particularly in legal contexts. Ludwig shows that it often involves a jury or a judge making a final determination after deliberation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reached a verdict" is a common phrase primarily used in legal and journalistic contexts to indicate that a jury or judge has made a final decision in a trial. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, especially in news and media. While alternatives like "arrived at a decision" exist, "reached a verdict" is most appropriate when discussing formal judgments. The phrase's formality and specificity make it essential for clear communication in legal reporting and discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returned a verdict

Specifically used when a jury announces its decision in a trial.

arrived at a decision

Focuses on the act of making a decision, without specifying the context of a formal judgment.

delivered a judgment

Typically used when a judge or court announces its decision.

came to a conclusion

Emphasizes the process of reasoning and inference, implying a logical endpoint.

made a determination

Suggests a more official or authoritative decision, often used in legal or formal settings.

settled on a resolution

Implies a decision that resolves a conflict or problem.

agreed upon a finding

Focuses on reaching a consensus on a particular piece of information or fact.

reached a consensus

Highlights the collective agreement of a group.

decided on a course of action

Emphasizes the selection of a plan or strategy.

resolved the matter

Indicates a conclusive end to a dispute or issue.

FAQs

How is "reached a verdict" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "reached a verdict" indicates that a jury or judge has formally decided the outcome of a case. It signifies the conclusion of deliberations and the announcement of a judgment.

What can I say instead of "reached a verdict" in a non-legal context?

In non-legal settings, you can use alternatives such as "arrived at a decision", "came to a conclusion", or "made a determination" to convey the idea of reaching a conclusion.

When is it appropriate to use "returned a verdict" instead of "reached a verdict"?

"Returned a verdict" is specifically used when referring to the jury's action of formally announcing its decision in court, while "reached a verdict" is a more general term that can apply to both judges and juries.

What's the difference between "reached a verdict" and "delivered a judgment"?

"Reached a verdict" typically refers to the decision made by a jury, whereas "delivered a judgment" refers to the formal pronouncement of a decision by a judge or court. Although related, they emphasize different roles in the legal process.