beyond reasonable doubt

#1 23-Aug-2003, 13:56

Are these sentences correct:
1-I know beyond reasonable doubt that he is guilty.
2-Can you affirm beyond reasonable doubt that he is guilty?

**Tdol** · #2 23-Aug-2003, 20:26

Yes.

**RonBee** · #3 23-Aug-2003, 23:15

One minor correction. It should be beyond a reasonable doubt. I don't think the phrase is ever used without the article.

:)

**Tdol** · #4 23-Aug-2003, 23:32

It can be countable or uncountable in BE:
beyong reasonable doubt
beyond any reasonable doubt
beyond a reasonable doubt

They all sound fine to me.

**RonBee** · #5 24-Aug-2003, 04:06

Hm. I have always heard beyond a reasonable doubt. Perhaps it is a BE/AE difference. Maybe I'll do a Google check and see what I come up with.

**Tdol** · #6 24-Aug-2003, 20:47

It's three times more common with the article, but without gets 30,000 hits.

**RonBee** · #7 25-Aug-2003, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdol

It's three times more common with the article, but without gets 30,000 hits.

Interesting. I had always heard that in instructions to a jury in a criminal case that they must find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. It is reasonable to expect tho that there are other circumstance in which that phrase is used. I wonder if the one without the article is used in a different context. I expect that that might be the case.

:)

**Tdol** · #8 25-Aug-2003, 21:34

It could be- I've never sat on a jury.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Silly Doubt = In or At?	doltcrow	Ask a Teacher	1	05-Sep-2004 18:46
a big doubt	Anonymous	Ask a Teacher	1	29-Nov-2003 18:10
I doubt that you Could ever help !!!!	Anonymous	Ask a Teacher	1	07-Nov-2003 17:14