Innocent Of: Standard Pattern
Innocent Of: Standard Pattern records a directly documented English construction and keeps guidance bounded to the evidenced pattern rather than turning one attested complement into a universal prohibition.
Use “innocent of” when naming the crime, charge, or wrongdoing a person did not commit.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| person did not commit a crime, charge, or wrongdoing | innocent of + noun/-ing | Use “innocent of.” |
| general lack of knowledge or experience | innocent of may have another sense | Check the intended meaning and context. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you naming the offense, charge, or wrongdoing that the person did not commit?
If yes: Use “innocent of” plus the alleged wrongdoing.
If no: If “innocent” means inexperienced or unaware, use wording that makes that different sense clear.
Caveat: In legal contexts, wording may have procedural consequences; this guide covers the ordinary complement pattern, not legal advice.
Examples
The defendant was found innocent of the charge.
“Of” introduces the charge not committed.
She maintained that she was innocent of wrongdoing.
The noun names the alleged misconduct.
He was innocent of any attempt to mislead them.
“Of” introduces the alleged act.
Further guidance
Construction
Use “innocent of” when naming the crime, charge, or wrongdoing a person did not commit.
Style Boundary
The guide stays with the directly documented legal/responsibility construction rather than generalizing to every sense of “innocent.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- innocent — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press & Assessment · Direct learner-dictionary evidence for the adjective construction “innocent of.”