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Prepositions with nouns

Of conviction or on conviction?

On conviction is a fixed legal expression meaning after someone has been found guilty. Of conviction usually appears in separate noun phrases such as strength of conviction or freedom of conviction.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

On conviction is the standard legal phrase used after a guilty verdict. Of conviction is not normally used directly after conviction with the same meaning, but it appears naturally in other expressions where of links conviction to another noun.

The offence carries a fine on conviction.
She spoke with great strength of conviction.
The court may impose a sentence on conviction.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
on conviction

Legal result after a guilty verdict

Use on conviction in legal and formal contexts to describe what happens after a person is found guilty.

He could face imprisonment on conviction.
The company may be fined on conviction.
2
conviction for + crime

Naming the offence

Use for to state the crime connected with a conviction.

She has a previous conviction for fraud.
The appeal challenged his conviction for theft.
3
of conviction

Noun phrases linked by of

Of can follow another noun before conviction, especially in expressions about beliefs or certainty.

Her voice carried a sense of conviction.
They admired his depth of conviction.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
on conviction
Drivers may lose their licence on conviction.
Standard legal phrase meaning after being found guilty.
of conviction
The speech lacked force of conviction.
Natural only when of links conviction to another noun such as force or strength.
conviction for
He received a conviction for assault.
States the offence connected with the guilty verdict.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of conviction for legal penalties

Do not use of conviction to mean after a guilty verdict.

✕ The defendant may be jailed of conviction. ✓ The defendant may be jailed on conviction.

Leaving out the crime after conviction for

Conviction for is usually followed by the name of an offence.

✕ She has a conviction for. ✓ She has a conviction for fraud.

Confusing conviction with personal belief

Conviction can also mean a strong belief, often used in noun phrases with of.

✕ He spoke on conviction about the issue. ✓ He spoke with conviction about the issue.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The offence is punishable ___ conviction.
2. She has a previous conviction ___ burglary.
3. His speech showed great strength ___ conviction.

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Frequently asked questions

Is on conviction only used in law?

Yes. It is mainly a legal expression used in statutes, court reports, and formal legal writing.

Can I say of conviction after a verb?

Usually no. English normally uses with conviction after verbs such as speak or argue.

What does conviction mean outside legal English?

It can mean a strong belief or certainty, as in political conviction or moral conviction.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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