the guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a feeling of remorse or responsibility for a wrongdoing or a crime. Example: "She felt the guilt weighing heavily on her conscience after lying to her friend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The guilt trip works.

The New York Times - Books

And the guilt that remains.

The New York Times

The guilt comes in waves.

The New York Times

The guilt, forget it.

The New York Times - Magazine

I buried the guilt.

The New York Times

Why the guilt?

The Guardian - Film

The guilt is real.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"The guilt didn't come".

The Guardian - Books

The Guilt Trip, $5.4m.

The Guardian - Film

And why the guilt?

The New York Times

And the guilt.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the guilt" when referring to a specific feeling of remorse or responsibility associated with a particular action or situation. For example, "She couldn't shake off "the guilt" after forgetting her anniversary".

Common error

Avoid using "the guilt" when you mean to describe someone who has committed a wrong act. "Guilty" is the correct adjective for describing the person, not the feeling itself. For example, say "He is guilty" instead of "He has the guilt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the guilt" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a specific feeling of remorse or responsibility for a perceived wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI shows, examples include phrases like "the guilt comes in waves" or "the guilt is real".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the guilt" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a feeling of remorse or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing, remember to use "the guilt" to refer to a specific feeling, distinguishing it from the adjective "guilty", which describes the person experiencing the guilt. While "the guilt" can be replaced with synonyms like "the shame" or "the remorse", the best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. Understanding these distinctions will help you to use "the guilt" effectively and accurately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the guilty feeling

Directly refers to the emotion experienced due to guilt.

the burden of guilt

Emphasizes the heavy and oppressive feeling associated with guilt.

the remorse

Emphasizes the deep regret and sorrow felt for one's actions.

the shame

Focuses more on the feeling of humiliation associated with wrongdoing, rather than the responsibility.

the sense of wrongdoing

Focuses on the awareness of having committed a wrong act.

the weight of responsibility

Highlights the heaviness associated with bearing responsibility, often linked to guilt.

the culpability

A more formal term stressing the blameworthiness for an action.

the responsibility

Highlights the obligation or duty for something that went wrong.

the consequence

Refers to the outcome or result of an action, implying responsibility.

the penalty

Focuses on the punishment or price paid for a transgression, often linked to guilt.

FAQs

How can I use "the guilt" in a sentence?

Use "the guilt" to refer to a specific feeling of remorse or responsibility. For example, "The guilt was overwhelming after the accident" or "He carried "the guilt for years" after the incident".

What phrases are similar to "the guilt"?

Similar phrases include "the shame", "the remorse", "the culpability", and "the responsibility". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I have the guilt"?

While understandable, it's more common and natural to say "I feel the guilt" or "I am experiencing the guilt". You can also say "I feel guilty" which is different from "the guilt".

What is the difference between "the guilt" and "feeling guilty"?

"The guilt" refers to the abstract concept or the specific feeling of remorse itself. "Feeling guilty" is the state of experiencing that feeling. For example, "The guilt was palpable in the room", versus "He was feeling guilty about lying".