noun phrase · formal
probable cause
UK/ˈprɒbəbəl kɔːz/US/ˈprɑːbəbəl kɔːz/PROB·a·ble CAUSE
a reasonable ground to believe that a person has committed a crime or that evidence is present, justifying legal action
Examples
“Officers must show probable cause before obtaining a warrant.”
“The judge ruled there was no probable cause for the arrest.”
“Probable cause is a lower threshold than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Band 8 sentence
“The prosecutor presented enough evidence to establish probable cause for an arrest but not yet enough to secure a conviction.”
Collocations
- establish probable cause
- lack probable cause
- probable cause for arrest
Word family
Common mistakes
probable reason→probable cause
reasonable cause→probable cause
Say it for a higher band
5reason→6reasonable grounds→7+probable cause
Synonyms
reasonable grounds
Easily confused
beyond reasonable doubt
“The jury must be convinced beyond reasonable doubt before returning a guilty verdict.”
Related words
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In Crime & Law
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