In 15 Seconds
- A judge or jury officially decides someone is right in court.
- Used specifically for legal rulings and formal verdicts.
- Means 'to rule in favor of' a specific party.
Meaning
This phrase is used in legal settings when a judge or jury makes an official decision to support one side in a court case.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a famous celebrity trial
The jury decided to find for the defendant after only two hours.
قررت هيئة المحلفين الحكم لصالح المدعى عليه بعد ساعتين فقط.
Talking about a workplace dispute
I really hope the tribunal finds for the employee in this case.
آمل حقاً أن تحكم المحكمة لصالح الموظف في هذه القضية.
News report about a big company
The Supreme Court is expected to find for the tech giant.
من المتوقع أن تحكم المحكمة العليا لصالح عملاق التكنولوجيا.
Cultural Background
This expression is deeply rooted in the English Common Law system. It reflects the role of the jury as 'finders of fact' who must weigh evidence to reach a conclusion. While it sounds very technical, it is a staple of American and British 'courtroom dramas' in movies and TV.
The 'Who' comes after 'For'
Always place the person or group who won the case immediately after `for`. For example: `find for the company`.
Don't use it for lost items
Remember, this isn't about finding your keys. If you say 'I found for my keys,' people will be very confused!
In 15 Seconds
- A judge or jury officially decides someone is right in court.
- Used specifically for legal rulings and formal verdicts.
- Means 'to rule in favor of' a specific party.
What It Means
When you hear find for, think of a legal victory. It is not about searching for lost keys. It means a judge or jury has officially decided that one person is right. They have 'found' the truth in that person's favor. It is the moment of truth in a courtroom drama.
How To Use It
You use this phrase to describe a legal outcome. The structure is usually find for [the person who won]. You can say, "The judge will find for the plaintiff." It sounds official and definitive. It is like the referee blowing the final whistle in a game. Only here, the stakes are much higher than a soccer match.
When To Use It
Use this when discussing lawsuits or legal battles. It is perfect for news reports or office gossip about a company's court case. You might use it while watching a crime show on Netflix. If your friend is suing their landlord, you would hope the court finds for your friend. It is the standard way to announce a winner in the eyes of the law.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for everyday arguments. If you and your spouse argue about dinner, a friend does not find for you. That would sound way too robotic and stiff. Also, do not confuse it with find out. Find out is about discovering a secret. Find for is about a legal ruling. Using it at a party might make people think you are a lawyer who cannot turn off 'work mode'.
Cultural Background
Western legal systems, especially in the US and UK, rely heavily on this phrasing. It comes from the idea of 'finding' a verdict. In history, a jury's job was to 'find' the facts of a case. It reflects the belief that justice is something to be discovered through evidence. It is a cornerstone of the English-speaking legal world.
Common Variations
You will often see find in favor of. This is the longer, even more formal version. You might also hear find against. That is the opposite—it means the person lost the case. Both are part of the same legal family tree. Stick to find for when you want to be concise but still sound professional.
Usage Notes
This is a strictly formal legal collocation. While it appears in news and media, it is rarely used in casual conversation unless someone is intentionally using 'legalese' for humor.
The 'Who' comes after 'For'
Always place the person or group who won the case immediately after `for`. For example: `find for the company`.
Don't use it for lost items
Remember, this isn't about finding your keys. If you say 'I found for my keys,' people will be very confused!
The 'Finding' concept
In English law, facts are 'found' like hidden treasure. That is why we use the verb 'find' for a legal decision.
Examples
6The jury decided to find for the defendant after only two hours.
قررت هيئة المحلفين الحكم لصالح المدعى عليه بعد ساعتين فقط.
Shows a quick legal decision.
I really hope the tribunal finds for the employee in this case.
آمل حقاً أن تحكم المحكمة لصالح الموظف في هذه القضية.
Expressing hope for a specific legal outcome.
The Supreme Court is expected to find for the tech giant.
من المتوقع أن تحكم المحكمة العليا لصالح عملاق التكنولوجيا.
Used in a high-stakes corporate context.
The judge didn't find for me, so I still have to pay the fine. Ugh.
القاضي لم يحكم لصالحي، لذا لا يزال يتعين علي دفع الغرامة. تباً.
Informal use regarding a personal legal setback.
If this were a court, Mom would definitely find for me regarding the chores!
لو كانت هذه محكمة، لكانت أمي ستحكم لصالحي بالتأكيد فيما يتعلق بالأعمال المنزلية!
Using legal jargon for a funny domestic situation.
When the court found for the victims, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.
عندما حكمت المحكمة لصالح الضحايا، لم تبقَ عين واحدة جافة في الغرفة.
Highlights the emotional weight of a legal victory.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct preposition to complete the legal phrase.
The jury is likely to find ___ the plaintiff given the new evidence.
The standard collocation in legal English is `find for` to indicate who won the case.
Complete the sentence to show the judge's decision.
After a long trial, the judge finally ___ for the small business owner.
The past tense of the phrase is `found for`.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of Legal Rulings
Side with someone
My friends sided with me.
Agree with
The teacher agreed with my point.
Find for
The court found for the defendant.
Render a verdict in favor of
The court rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff.
Where you will hear 'Find For'
Courtroom
The jury finds for the state.
News Broadcast
The judge is expected to find for the victim.
Law School
Why did the judge find for the appellant?
Legal Drama
I can't believe they found for him!
Practice Bank
2 exercisesThe jury is likely to find ___ the plaintiff given the new evidence.
The standard collocation in legal English is `find for` to indicate who won the case.
After a long trial, the judge finally ___ for the small business owner.
The past tense of the phrase is `found for`.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, not at all. Search for means looking for something lost, while find for means a judge officially deciding someone is right in court.
You can, but it sounds like a joke. It is very formal, so using it at home makes you sound like a judge in a wig.
It is used in both! Any country that uses the English legal system (like Canada or Australia too) will use find for.
The opposite is find against. If a judge finds against you, it means you lost the case.
Both can! You can say 'The jury found for the plaintiff' or 'The judge found for the defendant.'
Yes, find in favor of is a more descriptive version of find for. They mean exactly the same thing in court.
It comes from the legal idea of 'findings of fact.' The court 'finds' the truth among all the evidence presented.
Only if the business is in a legal battle. You wouldn't use it for a normal business deal or agreement.
Usually, the winner gets what they asked for, like money (damages) or a specific action, and the case ends.
No, you usually find for a person or a party (the plaintiff/defendant), not an abstract concept like 'truth'.
Related Phrases
Rule in favor of
Render a verdict
Find against
Side with
Uphold a claim
