the crime in question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the crime in question" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a specific crime that has been previously mentioned or is currently being discussed. Example: "The defendant was found guilty of the crime in question, which involved theft and fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Colman won acclaim for her performance, which saw her break down in a questioning room after discovering her husband had committed the crime in question.

Independent

The crime in question?

The Guardian

The crime in question was a particularly brutal and revolting one.

The New York Times

They acknowledged the crime in question -- if indeed a crime at all -- was small.

The New York Times - Arts

Miller isn't interested in unpicking the precise motivations behind the crime in question.

The Guardian - Film

No one knows how broadly the "crime" in question should be construed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

The court found that he had never held sufficient authority to issue orders to commit the crimes in question.

The Economist

It seemed notable that its jurisdiction was not deemed sufficient for any of the crimes in question.

The Guardian

Often, the punishers are guilty, too — perhaps not of the crimes in question but almost certainly of other, more personal "crimes" not recognized by the law.

The New Yorker

This consequence is not altered by the fact that the crimes in question were alleged to have been committed while the National Prohibition Act was in effect.

Cornell University

In the Washington leak investigation, too, the journalists are in the unusual position of being the only direct witnesses to the crimes in question.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the crime in question", ensure the context clearly establishes which specific crime you're referencing. Ambiguity can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "the crime in question" repeatedly without explicitly re-identifying the crime. This can lead to reader fatigue and a perception of vague or repetitive writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the crime in question" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically identifying a particular crime within a given context. Ludwig AI shows examples from news, academic papers and encyclopedias.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the crime in question" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to specifically identify a previously mentioned illegal act. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, particularly in news, academic, and legal contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "the offense in question" or "the alleged crime", the key is to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity when referencing the specific crime. Overusing the phrase without clear reference can lead to reader fatigue. Therefore, while correct and common, judicious use enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the offense in question

Replaces "crime" with "offense", a synonym with similar legal connotations.

the criminal act at issue

Combines "criminal act" to directly relate to illegal behaviors while using "at issue" to suggest debate.

the violation in question

Focuses specifically on the breach of a rule, law, or agreement.

the alleged crime

Adds a degree of uncertainty, indicating that the crime is not yet proven.

the specific crime involved

Highlights that the referred crime is specific and forms part of a larger setting.

the transgression at hand

Emphasizes the wrongdoing aspect, replacing "crime" with the more formal "transgression".

the subject offense

Emphasizes the topic or subject under discussion within a legal context.

the matter at issue

Shifts from a specific crime to the broader concept of a problematic "matter".

the incident in question

Replaces "crime" with "incident", widening the scope to include events that may not necessarily be illegal.

the act in question

Substitutes "crime" with "act", which is more neutral and can refer to any action, not just illegal ones.

FAQs

How can I use "the crime in question" in a sentence?

Use "the crime in question" to refer back to a previously mentioned crime, for example: "The evidence strongly suggests he committed the robbery. Therefore, the focus is now on whether he intended to commit "the crime in question"."

What are some alternatives to using "the crime in question"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the offense in question", "the alleged crime", or "the matter at issue".

Is it appropriate to use "the crime in question" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "the crime in question" leans towards formal usage. In informal contexts, consider simpler phrases like "the crime" or "what happened".

What's the difference between "the crime in question" and "the crime at hand"?

"The crime in question" refers back to a crime that has already been mentioned, while "the crime at hand" typically refers to the crime that is currently being dealt with or discussed.