suspects

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'suspects' is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to refer to individuals who are believed to have committed a crime or are under investigation for a crime. Example: The police arrested two suspects in connection to the robbery at the jewelry store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The techniques inflicted on the detainees included hooding suspects, putting them into stress positions, sleep deprivation, food and water deprivation and the use of white noise.

The Guardian

They were arrested as a result of the British policy of internment without trial in 1971 when thousands of suspects, mainly from Ireland's nationalist-republican community, were rounded up.

The Guardian

However, in the wake of the mass slaughter in the US, and the arrest of three IRA suspects in Colombia, the atmosphere in Belfast is difficult to gauge.

The Guardian

Were the system Fifa is proposing to restrict itself merely to offside decisions, or questions of whether a foul took place in or outside the area, it might be quite useful, although one suspects it would soon enough encompass other areas of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

With the death of the two Palestinian suspects, there can be no trial.

The Guardian

That's why we are giving the new agency new powers to force suspects to disclose information, to open up their accounts; to ensure that their advisers can't conceal evidence; and to track their movements not just in Britain but abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since we allowed this, over 14,000 offences have been successfully matched to over 8,000 suspects including over 100 murders and 100 rapes - and as far as I am aware, no one is on the database for dropping litter!

The Guardian - Opinion

Some political pundits hope some of the suspects will be bold enough to link the president to the public looting.

The Guardian

Donors have suspended pledged aid worth $150m until Banda, who came to power in 2012 following the sudden death of president Bingu wa Mutharika, "cleans up the mess" of corruption and speedily prosecutes all suspects.

The Guardian

1. Alexito: "Much mirth at the ID parade in The Usual Suspects" 2. Mariner70: "Full Metal Jacket, in the first muster in boot camp, where Pvts.

The Guardian - Film

In fact Morgan has said he suspects that Blair's account of what was said when he went to kiss hands with the Queen in 1997 – recalled in his recent memoir, The Journey – was actually taken from Morgan's film The Queen - although Blair has denied this.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, clearly define the status of the "suspects". Use precise language to distinguish between "suspects", defendants, and convicts.

Common error

Avoid using the term "suspects" interchangeably with "convicts". "Suspects" are under investigation, while "convicts" have been found guilty in court.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suspects" is as a plural noun, typically referring to individuals who are under investigation for a crime but have not yet been proven guilty. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where "suspects" function as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "suspects" functions as a plural noun referring to individuals under investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is very common, primarily within news and media contexts. While grammatically straightforward, it's crucial to differentiate "suspects" from terms like "defendants" and "convicts". Using precise language ensures clarity, especially in legal discussions. When in doubt, consider alternatives such as "persons of interest" or "alleged perpetrators" depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential suspects

This phrase includes people who are considered as possible suspects.

those under suspicion

Highlights that these individuals are currently being investigated for a crime.

alleged perpetrators

Focuses on the alleged nature of their involvement in a crime.

the accused

This phrase is a more general term for suspects who have been formally charged.

persons of interest

Emphasizes that these individuals are being investigated but may not be formally accused.

accused individuals

Highlights that these individuals are formally charged with a crime.

potential criminals

Focuses on the possibility that these individuals have committed a crime.

prime candidates

Implies that these individuals are the most likely to be guilty.

named individuals

This phrase refers to suspects who have been identified by name.

individuals in custody

Indicates suspects who are currently being held by law enforcement.

FAQs

How do I use "suspects" in a sentence?

"Suspects" is a plural noun referring to individuals believed to have committed a crime. For example, "The police have identified several suspects in the case".

What is a synonym for "suspects"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "alleged perpetrators", "persons of interest", or "accused individuals".

What's the difference between "suspects" and "defendants"?

"Suspects" are individuals under investigation, while "defendants" are those formally charged and facing trial. Suspects may not be defendants.

Is it appropriate to name "suspects" in news reports?

Naming "suspects" can be legally complicated and should be done carefully. Journalists should consult legal counsel before publishing names to avoid defamation.