tried and convicted

USAGE SUMMARY

"tried and convicted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when speaking of someone (or something) being found guilty of a crime or wrong-doing after being put on trial and found guilty by a judge or jury. Example: The defendant was finally tried and convicted for his role in the embezzlement case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You aren't guilty until tried and convicted".

The New York Times

Only one has been tried and convicted.

The Guardian - Opinion

Cisco was tried and convicted — of terrorism.

The New York Times

He was tried and convicted of six murders in 2007.

The New York Times - Sports

(Three of the employees were tried and convicted).

The New Yorker

He was arrested, tried and convicted of kidnap and manslaughter.

Independent

Turnbull was later tried and convicted of murder.

The Guardian

One of the thugs is tried and convicted.

The Guardian - Music

He was arrested, tried and convicted within 48 hours.

The Guardian - Sport

Later, the riot's leaders were arrested, tried and convicted of conspiracy.

The New York Times

He was detained and returned to Mexico, where he was tried and convicted in 1989.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tried and convicted" when you want to emphasize that due process was followed before a guilty verdict was reached. It's particularly useful in legal or journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "tried and convicted" interchangeably with terms like "arrested" or "charged". The phrase specifically indicates that a trial took place and resulted in a guilty verdict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tried and convicted" functions as a compound predicate, describing the legal process and outcome for a defendant. It signifies that the individual was subject to a trial and subsequently found guilty. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression accurately reflects a completed legal procedure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tried and convicted" accurately describes the legal process where an individual has undergone a trial and been found guilty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's a commonly used phrase, particularly in news and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, be sure to use this phrase only when the individual has actually gone through the trial process and not as a substitute for "arrested" or "charged". The alternatives include "prosecuted and sentenced" or "found guilty" but these may not always carry the same implication of a complete trial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prosecuted and sentenced

Focuses on the legal action and the resulting punishment, emphasizing the sentence.

brought to justice and found guilty

Emphasizes the pursuit of justice and the determination of guilt, adding a layer of moral evaluation.

indicted and judged

Highlights the formal accusation and subsequent legal judgment.

arrested and sentenced

Simplifies the process by only noting the beginning and end, omitting the trial.

apprehended and condemned

Focuses on the capture and severe judgment, implying strong disapproval.

litigated and ruled against

Highlights the adversarial legal process and the unfavorable outcome.

taken to court and lost the case

Informal phrasing that focuses on the act of going to court and the result of losing.

subjected to trial and penalized

Emphasizes the experience of undergoing a trial and the imposition of a penalty.

formally charged and adjudicated

Highlights the official nature of the charges and the process of adjudication.

held accountable and punished

Focuses on responsibility and the imposition of punishment, omitting the specifics of a trial.

FAQs

What does "tried and convicted" mean?

The phrase "tried and convicted" means that someone has gone through a legal trial and has been found guilty of the crime they were accused of.

Is it correct to say "convicted and tried" instead of "tried and convicted"?

While the meaning might be understood, the standard and more accepted phrasing is "tried and convicted". The order reflects the sequence of events: first the trial, then the conviction.

What can I say instead of "tried and convicted"?

You can use alternatives like "prosecuted and sentenced" or "found guilty" depending on the context.

How is "tried and convicted" different from "arrested"?

"Arrested" simply means someone has been taken into custody. "Tried and convicted" indicates that the person has gone through a full trial and been found guilty of the crime.